Stockpair Review.
Stockpair is a binary options website which is quite well known, as it is famous for having pioneered pair options. The site got its start all the way back in 2009, which makes it one of the oldest binary options websites operating today. With plenty of experience, a strong reputation in the industry, forex and innovative products, this broker is well worth your consideration.
Stockpair Company Information.
Stockpair is owned and operated by Nextrade Worldwide Ltd. I am this review in 2017; a few years ago when I first discovered Stockpair, they were owned by the same company. This is great to see, as you don’t run into this all that often in the binary options world, where websites often change hands at the drop of a hat. This is not a fly-by-night.
Additionally, Stockpair is regulated by CySEC under license # 229/14. This means that there is a government body protecting your interests. So you can be assured that Stockpair is a legit binary options site.
What Makes Trading at Stockpair Different.
Stockpair has a proprietary platform, and focuses on offering a different selection of trade types than most other binary options websites. You have your classic High/Low trades, but you also have Fixed and Floating Pairs and Kiko trades. This provides a new way to approach your trading. Whether you make this your only binary options platform or you join it in addition to others, you should find some exciting opportunities here which are not available elsewhere.
Assets Available.
Currencies: AUD/JPY, AUD/USD, EUR/AUD, EUR/CAD, EUR/CHF, EUR/GBP, EUR/JPY, EUR/USD, GBP/CHF, GBP/JPY, GBP/USD, NZD/USD, USD/CAD, USD/CHF, USD/JPY, USD/RUB.
Indices: AEX, ASX200_FUT, CAC40, CAC40_FUT, DAX, DAX30_FUT, DOWJONES_FUT, DOWJS, FTSE, FTSE100_FUT, IBEX35_FUT, NASDAQ, NIKKEI225_FUT, S&P, S/P500_FUT, S/P_MIB40_FUT, S/P_TSX60_FUT, NASDAQ, NYSE, London Stock Exchange, Xetra Frankfurt, Euronext Paris, Euronext Amsterdam, Moscow Exchange, Australian Securities Exchange, NYMEX, COMEX, CBOT, USA Future, PAR Future, LSE Future, FRA Future, Japan Future, forex Canada Future, Italy Future, Spain Future, Forex 24, Forex, Forex RU.
Stocks: AAPL, AEGN, AHLN, AIRF, AMC, AMZN, AV, AXAF, BA, BABA, BAC, BARC, BHP, BIDU(ADR), BMW, BNPP, BP, BP(ADR), BT, CAGR, CAT, CBA, COST, CSCO, DAI, DBKG, DE, EBAY, FB, FDX, GD, GM, GOOG, GS, GSK, HD, HEIN, HPQ, HSBA, IBM, ING, JNPR, JPM, KMB, KO, LHAG, MCD, MRK, MSFT, NFLX, ORG, ORI, PEP, PFE, PG, PRU, RBS, RDSA, RENA, RIO, ROSN, SASY, SBER, SBRY, SBUX. TSCO, TSLA, TWTR, UG, UNC, UPS, VOD, VOD(ADR), WBC, WES, WMT, WOW, WPL, XOM, YHOO.
Commodities: Coffee, Copper, Corn, Gas, Gold, Oil, Silver, Wheat.
You can see that this is an ample selection of assets, far more than many other binary sites offer.
Does Stockpair Offer Bonuses?
Yes! On Stockpair, there is a monthly cash-back program. The amount you can get ranges depending on the account tier you have. At the lowest tier, Silver, you can earn 0.5% back. At the highest tier, VIP, you can earn as much as 3% back.
This is an awesome program if you qualify—you do need to meet the minimum monthly volume requirement in order to take advantage of this benefit. But for those with higher account turnover, it could add up to a lot of value back over time.
“In the past, Stockpair also offered match bonuses on deposits. They have gotten away from doing this because CySEC has new rules in place. As a result, all CySEC regulated brokers are doing away with match bonuses.”
You shouldn’t let this bother you in all frankness. Match bonuses, while exciting on the surface, often are more trouble than they are worth. Usually they come with major turnover requirements that are very hard for most traders to meet. The cash-back program offered by Stockpair is a much better value.
Stockpair Trading Accounts.
On Stockpair, binary options the amount of money you deposit determines which type of trading account you will be given:
Silver: $1,000+ Gold: $5,000+ Platinum: $20,000+ VIP: $50,000+
Your account tier also determines which benefits you will qualify for. At the Silver level, these include 0.5% monthly cash-back (if you meet the requirements), and a maximum allowable position size of $1,000.
A lot more benefits kick in if you open a Gold account. This raises your maximum position size to $6,000 and your cash-back to 1%. You also get to work with a trade expert, and you get trade control and trading indicators. All of these benefits are included at the Platinum and VIP levels as well. But at the Platinum level, your maximum position size is $10,000, whereas with a VIP account, it is $20,000. Cash-back at each level is $2% or 3% respectively. Note that the requirements to claim the cash-back do increase at each level.
Mobile Trading on Stockpair.
Mobile trading is offered on Stockpair. Just download the relevant app for your iOS or Android device to start trading on your tablet or smartphone.
Stockpair Deposits and Withdrawals.
The minimum deposit on Stockpair is $250, which is pretty much the industry standard. You can trade in USD, EUR, or GBP. Deposit methods include credit or debit card, wire transfer, Skrill, SOFORT, Giropay, iDEAL, QIWI, or AstroPay.
There are no withdrawal fees on Stockpair, which is awesome. The minimum threshold is only $20. On a lot of sites, it is $100 or more, so this again is fantastic. Do note however that if you deposit funds and decide to withdraw them without ever placing a trade, you will be charged a 7% handling fee.
The only other fee to mention is the dormancy fee, which is $50 per month. Accounts are considered inactive after only 3 months, so make sure that you withdraw your funds or at least chat first with an administrator if you are going to be taking a break from trading at any point that is longer than that.
Stockpair Trading Platform.
The Stockpair trading platform is proprietary. The layout however is similar to what you may be used to from other binary options websites you have used. You will find the different types of options listed in the upper left along with the various assets that you can trade.
Below those on the left you will see your trade ticket. To the right you can view a chart. Under those are your positions. For whatever reason, the charts were not displaying properly while I was working on this review, but as this was never a problem in the past, I assume it is a temporary glitch which will soon be remedied.
As I also mentioned before, StockPair has an interesting and somewhat unique selection of trade types:
Binary: These are simple High/Low binary options trades. If you have traded on other websites, you already know what these are. You simply try to determine whether the asset in question will be trading above or below its present value at the expiry time. Kiko: This is a simple variation on a High/Low trade. With a Kiko trade, you are given two target values, one above and one below the current price of an asset. You simply need to try and determine which target the asset will strike first. This is the unique type of trade I have not seen on any other website. Fixed Pairs: This is the type of trading that Stockpair is renowned for. With Fixed Pairs, you are given two stocks, and you need to try and figure out which one will be outperforming the other over a given time period. Your trade begins immediately once you submit your ticket. Floating Pairs: This is a variation on Fixed Pairs. The difference is that your trade may start at any time within the period you have selected, rather than at that immediate moment.
It has been a while since I have reviewed Stockpair, so I am pleased to see that the company has continued with its tradition of innovation by introducing more unique new types of options beyond the original Fixed Pairs the site offered.
Customer Support on Stockpair.
In theory, customer service on Stockpair can be reached by telephone, live chat, or email. There also is a form you can fill out on the contact page. I was unable to reach anyone on live chat. This was also the case several years ago, so I am not sure if I was unlucky twice, or if live chat is consistently unavailable. Hopefully it is the former, but I suspect it may be the latter.
Trading Features and Resources on Stockpair.
Along with the features and benefits already discussed, here are some additional resources and tools that you will find available to you on this site:
A regularly updated blog provides you with weekly market reviews and other financial updates. There is an education center which contains frequently asked questions and a number of helpful pages which teach you more about the trading platform and the types of trades which Stockpair offers. Early close is offered if you want to exit positions before the expiry time.
Verdict.
Stockpair was an innovator back in 2009, jumping into the binary options game way ahead of almost everyone. They pioneered stock pair trading, and have continued over the years since to come up with more great innovations. They remain a groundbreaking broker today.
Pros:
Choose from a variety of unique trade types. There is a massive selection of assets to trade. Stockpair has been in existence since 2009. It is well-established and is regulated by CySEC, making it a trustworthy choice. Early close is offered. The FAQ and other resources on the site are very thorough. Cash-back is a great incentive available to traders at all account tiers. There are no withdrawal fees, and the minimum is low.
Cons:
Stockpair does have some substantial volume requirements to claim the cash-back bonuses. While I have seen some other sites mention a demo account, I found no reference to one on Stockpair’s website. The live chat desk is not consistently staffed.
Is Stockpair a scam?
No. The site is regulated and has been around far longer than most competitors. Its reputation is well-established.
How do I open an account on Stockpair ?
Click on the green tab in the upper right-hand corner of the Stockpair site that says "Open An Account." Fill out your information and click "Get Started Now!" Complete the brief questionnaire and make your deposit. You are then ready to trade.
Are USA traders accepted?
They used to be, but no longer are now that the site is regulated by CySEC.
Conclusion: Stockpair Is a Great Site for Trading Pairs and More.
If you are looking for something a little different from your standard selection of binary options trade types, give Stockpair a try. Here you can trade Fixed and Floating Pairs as well as novel Kiko options. While Stockpair does have a few drawbacks, there are plenty of great features and promotions, making it one of the most unique binary options sites in operation today.