Brokers Profile
Reviewed by Experts Updated 11/9/2026

Avenue Securities vs CIMB Securities: Which Broker Wins in 2026?

Avenue Securities and CIMB Securities both appeal to global investors, but only one comes out on top in our 2026 independent rating. Avenue Securities edges ahead with a 3.4/5 score versus 3.3/5 for CIMB Securities, driven by zero commissions and strong tier-1 regulatory coverage.

OVERALL WINNER
AS

Avenue Securities

3.4 / 5Score: 2 / 2

Zero-commission investing backed by SEC and FINRA oversight for cost-conscious global investors.

Min deposit
$0
Max leverage
1:1
Spread from
0 pips
Regulators
SEC, FINRA, CVM
CS

CIMB Securities

3.3 / 5Score: 0 / 2

A 47-year legacy brokerage offering diversified market access with leverage up to 1:5.

Min deposit
$0
Max leverage
1:5
Spread from
0 pips
Regulators
SC, MAS
Overall Winner
Avenue Securities
Best for Beginners
Avenue Securities
Lowest Fees
Avenue Securities
Top Regulation
Avenue Securities

Side-by-side comparison

Core features compared head-to-head.

Feature
AS
Avenue Securities
CS
CIMB Securities
Overview
Rating3.4 / 53.3 / 5
Founded20191978
HeadquartersMiami, USAKuala Lumpur, Malaysia
RegulationSEC, FINRA, CVMSC, MAS
Fees & Limits
Min Deposit$0$0
Spreads From0 pips0 pips
CommissionNone$0.1/lot
Max Leverage1:11:5
Platforms & Markets
Trading PlatformsProprietary Mobile, Proprietary WebProprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, iTrade
Markets OfferedStocks, Etf, CryptoStocks, Etf, Indices, Forex

Trading & non-trading fees

Min Deposit

Avenue Securities

$0

CIMB Securities

$0

Spreads From

Avenue Securities

0 pips

CIMB Securities

0 pips

Commission

Avenue Securities

None

CIMB Securities

$0.1/lot

Deposit Fees

Avenue Securities

None

CIMB Securities

None

Withdrawal Fees

Avenue Securities

None

CIMB Securities

None

Pros & cons

AS

Avenue Securities

Pros

  • Higher overall rating of 3.4/5 in our independent assessment
  • No per-trade commission charges on any supported market
  • Backed by three separate regulatory licences for added trust
  • Zero minimum deposit removes barriers for new investors
  • No deposit or withdrawal fees on account transactions
  • Tight spreads starting from 0 pips

Cons

  • Leverage capped at just 1:1, limiting margin trading options
  • No access to forex or indices markets
  • Only two trading platforms available compared to competitors
  • Younger company history founded in 2019
  • Narrower overall market selection than some regional rivals
CS

CIMB Securities

Pros

  • Higher available leverage up to 1:5 for flexible position sizing
  • Broader market selection covering four asset classes
  • Established track record spanning over four decades
  • Three trading platforms including the dedicated iTrade terminal
  • Zero minimum deposit requirement for new accounts
  • Regulated by respected regional authorities SC and MAS

Cons

  • Lower overall rating of 3.3/5 compared to top competitor
  • Charges a $0.1 per lot commission unlike fully free rivals
  • Fewer regulatory licences than multi-jurisdiction competitors
  • Regional regulation may not suit globally diversified traders

Our expert verdict

Editor's verdict

Overall winner Avenue Securities
Lowest fees Avenue Securities
Best regulation Avenue Securities
Better for beginners Avenue Securities

Avenue Securities is our overall winner, scoring 3.4/5 against CIMB Securities's 3.3/5 in our proprietary rating system. The US-based broker wins on fees with no per-trade commission and tighter regulatory oversight from the SEC and FINRA. However, CIMB Securities still holds appeal for traders wanting forex and indices access, higher leverage up to 1:5, and a longer 47-year operating history.

Regulation & Safety

Avenue Securities operates under oversight from the SEC, FINRA, and Brazil's CVM, giving it three separate regulatory licences across two major jurisdictions. This multi-regulator structure is a strong trust signal for investors prioritizing capital protection and legal recourse.

CIMB Securities, by contrast, is licensed by Malaysia's SC and Singapore's MAS — both respected regional regulators, though covering fewer jurisdictions than Avenue Securities. Both brokers qualify as tier-1 regulated in their respective home markets.

For traders who place a premium on US regulatory backing, Avenue Securities has a clear edge. CIMB Securities remains a solid, trustworthy option for those operating primarily in Southeast Asian markets.

Fees & Spreads

Both brokers advertise spreads starting from 0 pips, putting them on equal footing for raw spread pricing. The real differentiator is commission structure: Avenue Securities charges no per-trade commission at all, while CIMB Securities applies a $0.1 per lot commission.

Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a welcome feature for cost-conscious investors moving funds in and out of their accounts regularly.

Overall, Avenue Securities holds the fee advantage thanks to its zero-commission model, making it marginally cheaper for frequent traders executing larger volumes.

Account Access & Minimum Deposit

Both Avenue Securities and CIMB Securities require a $0 minimum deposit, removing any barrier to entry for new investors wanting to test the waters with either platform.

This parity means the decision between the two won't come down to upfront capital requirements, but rather platform features, market access, and regulatory preference covered elsewhere in this review.

Trading Platforms & Market Access

Avenue Securities offers a streamlined platform suite consisting of a Proprietary Mobile app and Proprietary Web terminal, focused on simplicity for stocks, ETFs, and crypto trading.

CIMB Securities goes broader with three platform options — Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, and the dedicated iTrade system — plus expanded market access spanning stocks, ETFs, indices, and forex.

Traders wanting forex and indices exposure alongside equities will find CIMB Securities' offering more versatile, while those focused purely on stocks, ETFs, and crypto may prefer Avenue Securities' more focused approach.

Leverage & Trading Conditions

CIMB Securities offers leverage up to 1:5, compared to Avenue Securities' more conservative 1:1 cap. This makes CIMB Securities the preferable option for traders seeking leveraged exposure to amplify positions.

Avenue Securities' 1:1 leverage reflects its stock and ETF-centric model, which naturally carries less margin trading emphasis than CIMB Securities' broader forex and indices offering.

Our Verdict

Avenue Securities wins our overall comparison with a 3.4/5 rating versus CIMB Securities's 3.3/5, driven primarily by its zero-commission fee structure and stronger US-based regulatory backing from the SEC and FINRA.

CIMB Securities remains a highly competitive alternative, particularly for traders who value higher leverage, broader market access including forex and indices, and the stability of a brokerage founded in 1978.

Ultimately, your choice should hinge on your trading priorities: choose Avenue Securities for low-cost stock, ETF, and crypto investing under tight regulation, or CIMB Securities for diversified, leveraged market access across Southeast Asia.

Verdict summary

The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.

Editor's verdict

Avenue Securities wins overall

Avenue Securities edges out CIMB Securities overall based on our expert rating score.

AS

Highest Rated

Avenue Securities

3.4 / 5 / 5

Visit Avenue Securities

Category winners

  • Overall winner

    Based on overall expert rating (3.4/5).

    Avenue Securities
  • Better for beginners

    Stronger onboarding and educational resources.

    Avenue Securities
  • Lower trading costs

    More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.

    Avenue Securities
  • Stronger regulation

    Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.

    Avenue Securities

Frequently asked questions

Risk warning: Trading CFDs and forex involves significant risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Please consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

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