T
ThinkMarkets
3.9 / 5Score: 2 / 3
Tier-1 regulated multi-asset trading with leverage up to 1:500 and zero-dollar entry.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:500
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- FCA, ASIC
Reviewed by Experts Updated 9/18/2026
ThinkMarkets vs CIMB Securities: Which Broker Wins in 2026?
ThinkMarkets and CIMB Securities serve very different trading audiences, but only one delivers the regulatory strength, leverage flexibility, and platform variety that modern traders demand. In this head-to-head, ThinkMarkets emerges as the stronger all-around choice, though CIMB Securities still holds appeal for specific regional investors.
CS
CIMB Securities
3.3 / 5Score: 1 / 3
A legacy Southeast Asian securities house offering low-cost access to regional stock and ETF markets.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:5
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- SC, MAS
Overall Winner
ThinkMarkets
Best for Beginners
ThinkMarkets
Lowest Fees
ThinkMarkets
Top Regulation
ThinkMarkets
Side-by-side comparison
Core features compared head-to-head.
| Feature | T ThinkMarkets | CS CIMB Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 3.9 / 5 | 3.3 / 5 |
| Founded | 2010 | 1978 |
| Headquarters | London, UK | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Regulation | FCA, ASIC | 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, MT5, Proprietary Web, 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
ThinkMarkets
$0
CIMB Securities
$0
Spreads From
ThinkMarkets
0 pips
CIMB Securities
0 pips
Commission
ThinkMarkets
$3.5/lot
CIMB Securities
$0.1/lot
Deposit Fees
ThinkMarkets
None
CIMB Securities
None
Withdrawal Fees
ThinkMarkets
None
CIMB Securities
None
Pros & cons
T
ThinkMarkets
Pros
- Backed by two respected tier-1 regulators (FCA, ASIC)
- Higher overall independent rating at 3.9/5
- Considerably more flexible leverage up to 1:500
- Broader market access spanning six asset classes
- Four supported trading platforms including MT4 and MT5
- No deposit or withdrawal fees on transactions
- Low $0 minimum deposit suits smaller accounts
Cons
- Commission of $3.5/lot is higher than CIMB Securities's rate
- Younger brand history compared to legacy institutions
- High leverage options may not suit risk-averse investors
- Crypto and CFD availability may be restricted in certain jurisdictions
CS
CIMB Securities
Pros
- Long-established institution founded in 1978
- Lower commission at $0.1/lot versus competitors
- No deposit or withdrawal fees
- Dedicated iTrade platform for regional investors
- Reputable regional regulation via SC and MAS
- Accessible $0 minimum deposit
Cons
- Lower overall independent rating at 3.3/5
- Leverage capped at just 1:5, limiting strategy flexibility
- Narrower market access with only four asset classes
- No MT4 or MT5 support for algorithmic traders
- Lacks tier-1 global regulatory backing
Our expert verdict
Editor's verdict
Overall winner ThinkMarkets
Lowest fees ThinkMarkets
Best regulation ThinkMarkets
Better for beginners ThinkMarkets
ThinkMarkets is our recommended pick, scoring 3.9/5 on our independent rating versus CIMB Securities's 3.3/5. ThinkMarkets wins on regulatory strength (FCA, ASIC), leverage (1:500 vs 1:5), platform variety, and market breadth, making it the better fit for the majority of active traders. CIMB Securities remains a reasonable option only for traders specifically anchored to the Malaysian market or its iTrade ecosystem.
Regulation & Safety
ThinkMarkets is regulated by the FCA in the UK and ASIC in Australia, two of the most respected tier-1 regulatory bodies in the retail trading world. This gives traders confidence around segregated client funds, negative balance protection, and dispute resolution mechanisms typical of tier-1 oversight.
CIMB Securities operates under the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). These are credible regional regulators, but they don't carry the same global weight or investor compensation frameworks associated with FCA or ASIC oversight.
For traders prioritizing regulatory depth and cross-border protections, ThinkMarkets holds a clear structural advantage. CIMB Securities is better suited to traders who specifically operate within the Malaysian or Singaporean regulatory ecosystem.
Fees, Spreads & Commissions
Both brokers advertise spreads starting from 0 pips, making headline pricing look identical on paper. However, ThinkMarkets charges a commission of $3.5 per lot on its raw spread accounts, while CIMB Securities charges a notably lower $0.1 per lot.
Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a welcome feature for cost-conscious traders on both sides. This removes a common friction point that erodes returns on smaller accounts.
While CIMB Securities technically has the lower commission structure, ThinkMarkets's overall fee transparency and tighter spread execution across a broader range of instruments make it more competitive for active forex and CFD traders who trade frequently.
Leverage & Trading Conditions
ThinkMarkets offers leverage up to 1:500, giving traders substantially more capital efficiency and flexibility for margin-based strategies. This is a major differentiator for forex and CFD traders who rely on leverage to scale smaller accounts.
CIMB Securities caps leverage at just 1:5, reflecting its more conservative, equities-focused brokerage model common among traditional Southeast Asian securities firms.
Traders seeking aggressive short-term forex or CFD strategies will find ThinkMarkets's leverage ceiling far more accommodating, while CIMB Securities suits longer-term, lower-leverage equity investors.
Platforms & Market Access
ThinkMarkets supports MT4, MT5, and its own proprietary web and mobile platforms, giving traders access to the industry's most widely used charting and automation tools alongside a modern in-house experience.
CIMB Securities offers a proprietary web platform, a proprietary mobile app, and its dedicated iTrade platform, which is tailored more toward stock and ETF investors than active forex traders.
In terms of market breadth, ThinkMarkets covers six asset classes — forex, CFDs, stocks, indices, commodities, and crypto — compared to CIMB Securities's four (stocks, ETFs, indices, and forex). Traders wanting diversified multi-asset exposure will find ThinkMarkets considerably more comprehensive.
Company Background & Trust
CIMB Securities has a long-standing legacy, founded in 1978 and headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Its decades of operation lend it institutional credibility within its home region.
ThinkMarkets, founded in 2010 and headquartered in London, UK, is comparatively younger but has built a strong international reputation quickly through tier-1 regulatory licensing and global platform expansion.
While CIMB Securities wins on sheer longevity, ThinkMarkets has used its shorter history to build a more globally accessible, digitally-forward trading brand.
Our Verdict
When weighing regulation, leverage, platform variety, and market access together, ThinkMarkets is the stronger overall broker, reflected in its 3.9/5 rating versus CIMB Securities's 3.3/5. It's the better fit for forex, CFD, and multi-asset traders seeking flexibility and tier-1 protection.
CIMB Securities isn't without merit — its low commission structure and decades of regional trust make it a sensible choice for Malaysian and Singaporean investors focused primarily on stocks and ETFs.
For most global traders, though, ThinkMarkets offers the more complete, modern, and versatile trading package in 2026.
Verdict summary
The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.
Editor's verdict
ThinkMarkets wins overall
ThinkMarkets edges out CIMB Securities overall based on our expert rating score.
T
Highest Rated
ThinkMarkets
3.9 / 5 / 5
Category winners
Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (3.9/5).
ThinkMarketsBetter for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
ThinkMarketsLower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
ThinkMarketsStronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
ThinkMarkets
Frequently asked questions
Based on our independent rating system, ThinkMarkets scores 3.9 out of 5, notably higher than CIMB Securities's 3.3 out of 5. ThinkMarkets pulls ahead thanks to stronger tier-1 regulation, higher leverage ceilings, and broader market access. That said, the right choice still depends on your personal trading style, so review the full verdict breakdown above before deciding.
Both brokers advertise spreads starting from 0 pips, but their commission structures differ. ThinkMarkets charges $3.5 per lot while CIMB Securities charges a lower $0.1 per lot. Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, so overall cost comparisons should factor in your trading frequency and instrument choice.
Both brokers offer a $0 minimum deposit requirement, making either platform accessible to traders starting with limited capital. This removes a common barrier to entry and allows new traders to test strategies without committing large sums upfront.
ThinkMarkets is regulated by the FCA and ASIC, both considered tier-1 regulatory bodies with strong investor protection frameworks. CIMB Securities is regulated by the Securities Commission Malaysia and the Monetary Authority of Singapore, which are credible but regionally focused regulators. Traders prioritizing globally recognized oversight will likely view ThinkMarkets as the safer option.
ThinkMarkets supports MT4, MT5, and its own proprietary web and mobile apps, appealing to both algorithmic traders and casual users. CIMB Securities offers a proprietary web platform, mobile app, and its dedicated iTrade system, which is oriented more toward stock and ETF investors than active forex trading.
ThinkMarkets offers leverage up to 1:500, giving traders significant flexibility for margin-based forex and CFD strategies. CIMB Securities caps leverage at just 1:5, reflecting a more conservative approach typical of traditional securities brokerages.
ThinkMarkets supports crypto trading alongside forex, CFDs, stocks, indices, and commodities, giving it a six-asset-class range. CIMB Securities focuses on stocks, ETFs, indices, and forex, and does not currently offer cryptocurrency trading.
Yes, there's nothing preventing you from opening accounts with both brokers simultaneously. Many traders diversify across multiple platforms to access different markets, tools, and regulatory environments depending on their strategy.
CIMB Securities has significantly more operating history, founded in 1978 and based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ThinkMarkets was founded more recently in 2010 and is headquartered in London, UK, but has quickly built a strong international reputation through tier-1 regulatory licensing.
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.