A
Axi
3.6 / 5Score: 2 / 3
Tier-1 regulated multi-asset trading with zero-pip spreads and leverage up to 1:500.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:500
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- ASIC, FCA
Reviewed by Experts Updated 10/15/2026
Axi vs CIMB Securities: Which Broker Wins in 2026?
Axi and CIMB Securities serve very different trading audiences, but only one delivers the stronger all-around package in 2026. Axi pulls ahead with tier-1 regulation, tighter spreads, and higher leverage, earning a 3.6/5 rating versus CIMB Securities's 3.3/5. Here's the full breakdown.
CS
CIMB Securities
3.3 / 5Score: 1 / 3
A nearly five-decade-old Southeast Asian stockbroking institution with a multi-platform equities focus.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:5
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- SC, MAS
Overall Winner
Axi
Best for Beginners
Axi
Lowest Fees
Axi
Top Regulation
Axi
Side-by-side comparison
Core features compared head-to-head.
| Feature | A Axi | CS CIMB Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 3.6 / 5 | 3.3 / 5 |
| Founded | 2007 | 1978 |
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Regulation | ASIC, FCA | SC, MAS |
| Fees & Limits | ||
| Min Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission | $3.5/lot | $0.1/lot |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:5 |
| Platforms & Markets | ||
| Trading Platforms | MT4, Proprietary Mobile | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, iTrade |
| Markets Offered | Forex, Cfd, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | Stocks, Etf, Indices, Forex |
Trading & non-trading fees
Min Deposit
Axi
$0
CIMB Securities
$0
Spreads From
Axi
0 pips
CIMB Securities
0 pips
Commission
Axi
$3.5/lot
CIMB Securities
$0.1/lot
Deposit Fees
Axi
None
CIMB Securities
None
Withdrawal Fees
Axi
None
CIMB Securities
None
Pros & cons
A
Axi
Pros
- Regulated by two top-tier authorities, ASIC and FCA, for stronger trader protection
- Zero minimum deposit makes the account accessible to new traders
- Spreads starting from 0 pips keep trading costs competitive
- High leverage up to 1:500 offers flexibility for experienced traders
- Broad market access spanning forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and crypto
- No fees charged on deposits or withdrawals
- Higher overall independent rating at 3.6 out of 5
Cons
- Only supports MT4 rather than the newer MT5 platform
- Commission of $3.5 per lot adds to overall trading costs
- High leverage of 1:500 can increase risk for inexperienced traders
- Fewer proprietary platform options compared to CIMB Securities
- Narrower equities selection than dedicated stockbroking platforms
CS
CIMB Securities
Pros
- Long operating history dating back to 1978 builds institutional trust
- Regulated by two respected regional authorities, SC and MAS
- Very low commission of $0.1 per lot on trades
- Three distinct proprietary platforms offer flexibility for equity traders
- Zero minimum deposit lowers the barrier to entry
- No fees on deposits or withdrawals
- Strong focus on stocks, ETFs, and indices for regional investors
Cons
- Lower overall independent rating at 3.3 out of 5
- Leverage capped at just 1:5, limiting capital efficiency
- No access to crypto or commodities markets
- Regulatory coverage is regionally focused rather than tier-1 global
- Narrower platform compatibility with no MT4 or MT5 support
Our expert verdict
Editor's verdict
Overall winner Axi
Lowest fees Axi
Best regulation Axi
Better for beginners Axi
Axi is our recommended pick, scoring 3.6/5 against CIMB Securities's 3.3/5 on our independent rating. Axi's dual tier-1 licences from ASIC and FCA, zero-pip spreads, and flexible leverage up to 1:500 make it the stronger overall choice for most forex and CFD traders, while CIMB Securities remains a viable option for Southeast Asian investors focused on regional equities.
Regulation & Safety
Axi is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), two of the most respected tier-1 regulatory bodies in the retail trading industry. This dual-licence structure gives Axi clients strong recourse in the event of a dispute, along with segregated client funds and strict capital adequacy requirements.
CIMB Securities operates under the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Both are credible regional regulators, well-suited to overseeing a broker whose core business is domestic equities and regional market access across Southeast Asia.
For traders prioritizing globally recognized oversight and cross-border protections, Axi's regulatory footprint is simply broader. CIMB Securities is not a weak choice from a safety standpoint, but its licences are more regionally confined than Axi's tier-1 coverage.
Fees, Spreads & Commissions
Both brokers advertise spreads starting from 0 pips, making headline pricing look identical on the surface. However, Axi charges a commission of $3.5 per lot, which is standard for an ECN-style forex and CFD pricing model aimed at active traders.
CIMB Securities charges a notably lower commission of $0.1 per lot, reflecting its equities-brokerage heritage rather than a forex-centric fee structure. Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a welcome feature for cost-conscious traders on both sides.
The right fee structure ultimately depends on what you're trading. Active forex and CFD traders will find Axi's commission transparent and competitive within the industry, while CIMB Securities's lower per-lot cost may suit traders executing fewer, larger equity-focused trades.
Account Requirements & Accessibility
Neither broker imposes a minimum deposit barrier, with both Axi and CIMB Securities allowing account opening at $0. This makes both platforms accessible to beginner traders who want to start small or test strategies before committing larger capital.
Where the two diverge sharply is leverage. Axi offers leverage up to 1:500, giving experienced traders substantially more flexibility to size positions, while CIMB Securities caps leverage at a conservative 1:5, more typical of regulated equities brokers in Southeast Asia.
This leverage gap is one of the clearest differentiators in this comparison. Traders seeking capital-efficient forex and CFD exposure will lean toward Axi, while conservative, long-term equity investors may actually prefer CIMB Securities's lower-risk ceiling.
Trading Platforms & Tools
Axi supports the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform alongside its own proprietary mobile app. MT4 remains a favorite among forex and CFD traders thanks to its charting tools, automated trading via Expert Advisors, and vast third-party indicator ecosystem.
CIMB Securities offers a broader spread of proprietary options: a Proprietary Web platform, a Proprietary Mobile app, and the iTrade platform. This three-platform lineup gives CIMB Securities clients more native tools tailored specifically to Southeast Asian equity and ETF trading.
Platform choice really comes down to trading style. MT4 traders focused on forex and CFDs will find Axi's offering more powerful and familiar, while investors centered on stocks and ETFs within Malaysia or Singapore may appreciate CIMB Securities's purpose-built suite.
Market Range & Instrument Variety
Axi provides access to six distinct asset classes: Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, and Crypto. This breadth makes it a genuine multi-asset broker suited to diversified trading strategies across global markets.
CIMB Securities covers four markets — Stocks, ETFs, Indices, and Forex — with a clear emphasis on equities and exchange-traded products rather than derivatives or crypto exposure.
Traders wanting a single account to access forex, crypto, and commodities alongside traditional equities will find Axi's range considerably more comprehensive for 2026's diversified trading landscape.
Company Background & Track Record
CIMB Securities carries the weight of history, having been founded in 1978 and operating out of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for nearly five decades. This longevity reflects deep institutional roots within the Malaysian and broader Southeast Asian financial sector.
Axi, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Sydney, Australia, is comparatively younger but has built a strong international reputation within the online forex and CFD space during that time.
Neither track record should be a dealbreaker; CIMB Securities's heritage suits investors who value institutional pedigree, while Axi's nearly two-decade run in competitive global forex markets demonstrates solid staying power in a fast-evolving industry.
Verdict summary
The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.
Editor's verdict
Axi wins overall
Axi edges out CIMB Securities overall based on our expert rating score.
A
Highest Rated
Axi
3.6 / 5 / 5
Category winners
Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (3.6/5).
AxiBetter for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
AxiLower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
AxiStronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
Axi
Frequently asked questions
Based on our independent rating system, Axi scores higher overall at 3.6 out of 5 compared to CIMB Securities's 3.3 out of 5. Axi's advantage comes largely from its tier-1 regulatory coverage, broader market access, and higher leverage ceiling. That said, your ideal choice still depends on whether you prioritize global forex and CFD trading or regional equities exposure.
Both brokers advertise spreads from 0 pips, but their commission structures differ. Axi charges $3.5 per lot, typical for forex and CFD trading, while CIMB Securities charges a much lower $0.1 per lot, reflecting its equities-focused brokerage model. Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees.
Both Axi and CIMB Securities allow you to open an account with a $0 minimum deposit, making either broker accessible regardless of your starting capital. This low barrier to entry is ideal for beginners wanting to test strategies before scaling up.
Axi is regulated by ASIC and the FCA, both widely regarded as tier-1 regulatory bodies with stringent oversight standards. CIMB Securities holds licences from the Securities Commission Malaysia and the Monetary Authority of Singapore, both credible regional regulators. For traders prioritizing globally recognized protections, Axi's regulatory setup carries more weight.
Axi supports the widely used MetaTrader 4 platform alongside its own proprietary mobile app, appealing to forex and CFD traders who want automated trading capabilities. CIMB Securities offers a Proprietary Web platform, Proprietary Mobile app, and the iTrade platform, giving equity-focused investors more native tool variety.
Yes, there's nothing stopping you from maintaining accounts at both brokers simultaneously. Many traders actually diversify across multiple platforms to access different markets — using Axi for forex, crypto, and CFD trading, while using CIMB Securities for regional stock and ETF investing.
Axi offers a wider range of six asset classes, including Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, and Crypto. CIMB Securities covers four markets — Stocks, ETFs, Indices, and Forex — with a stronger emphasis on traditional equities rather than derivatives or digital assets.
Yes, the difference is substantial. Axi offers leverage up to 1:500, giving active traders much greater capital efficiency, while CIMB Securities caps leverage at a conservative 1:5. Traders who want higher leverage flexibility for forex and CFD positions will find Axi far better suited to that strategy.
CIMB Securities has a significantly longer operating history, founded in 1978 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, compared to Axi, which was founded in 2007 in Sydney, Australia. While CIMB Securities carries nearly five decades of institutional heritage, Axi has still built a strong reputation over almost two decades in the competitive global forex and CFD industry.
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.