STO Review 2024
Website: www.stofs.com
Min. Deposit: US$ 100
Leverage: 1:30
Trading Platforms: MT4, AFX Fast
Regulation: FCA, CySEC
Headquarters: Cyprus
Founded: 2009
Updated on March 21, 2024
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STO stands for a trading entity that was established in 2009 under the AFX Group banner, providing clients with an avenue to participate in the financial markets via optimal trading conditions. Since its inception, the broker has embarked on a growth trajectory, culminating in the establishment of offices in several financial hubs including the UK, Cyprus, Italy, China, and New York. These locations are dedicated to offering client support, coupled with resources for education, analysis, FX indicators, and market news to create the ultimate trading environment. In a significant move last year, the company entered into collaboration with Quantic, thereby gaining the capability to offer portfolio management solutions through an institutional level of investment products.
The company stands out with its competitive offering, which encompasses a variety of trading instruments totaling over 300 FX and CFDs, intelligent order routing, comprehensive trading platforms, VPS services (subject to a 2k account minimum and a monthly trading volume of 5 lots, failing which a monthly charge of 35$ applies), and a portfolio management division operated by AFX Capital Markets.
STO provides trading under Top-tier conditions, including complimentary access to 12 EAs and 15 Chart Indicators for VIP, PRO, and Premium Accounts. It also offers trading in the most active shares on the Italian, German, and US Markets across 100 CFDs with a commission rate of 2 cents per share. The total CFD offering spans 7 asset classes with leverage up to 1:500 and includes negative balance protection. The spreads start from 0.0 pips for forex, from 0.5 for indices, and from 4 points for oils.
At STO, customers are supported by dedicated service alongside educational tools that provide access to carefully designed educational materials to master advanced concepts, strategies, and various types of trading. The company has been officially recognized and awarded by major corporations and organizations, including the 13th Mena Forex Awards 2014 – Broker of the Year; Shield of Appreciation – Natural Gas Forum 2014, among others.
AFX Capital Markets Ltd, the entity behind STO, is regulated by two primary financial investment and services regulators: the FCA in the UK, CySEC in Cyprus, and additionally by CONSOB in Italy. Furthermore, the broker operates under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) with respect to offering cross-border services and other offices within the EU under the MiFID Passporting Regime.
Therefore, the broker adheres to all the necessary safety requirements concerning funds, operations, executions, and generally all processes, ensuring a transparent and protected environment for its clients.
STO places a strong emphasis on providing accessible and versatile trading platforms. The primary platform available to traders is MetaTrader 4 (MT4), renowned for its customization capabilities and user-friendly interface. MT4 is web-based, ensuring accessibility from any device at any time, and is enhanced with the broker's unique indicators, tools, and support to optimize the trading experience. Additionally, STO offers the AFX Fast platform as an alternative. AFX Fast, designed for low latency and customer-friendly operation, showcases an ECN/STP execution model to eliminate re-quotes and slippage, offering traders a seamless and efficient trading environment. This platform also features an extensive range of Expert Advisors (EAs) and Chart Indicators, facilitating strategy optimization, decision assistance, and advanced alarm and broadcasting capabilities, alongside comprehensive market data.
STO Trading Instruments and Accounts ▲
STO caters to a diverse clientele by offering five distinct account types, each designed to complement specific trading strategies. All accounts boast tight spreads, rapid execution, competitive commissions, and multilingual support. Clients have access to free trading signals and tools, educational courses, weekly webinars, and daily fundamental analysis. For beginners, a Demo account is available to hone trading strategies.
Pros
Multiple account options catering to various trader needs
Access to educational resources and trading tools
Cons
Initial deposit requirements may be prohibitive for some traders
The account types include:
STO Classic, suitable for newcomers, requires a minimum deposit of $100 and offers leverage up to 1:500 with spreads starting from 1.6 pips.
STO Premium, aimed at more experienced traders, requires a $2,000 deposit, providing spreads from 0.4 pips and access to 15 chart indicators for three months, along with EAs.
The PRO account, designed for advanced traders, demands a $10,000 initial deposit and features lower spreads of 0.3 pips and reduced leverage of up to 1:200 for increased safety, plus indicators and EAs for six months.
VIP accounts, with a $50,000 deposit, offer spreads from 0.0 pips and a year's free use of comprehensive trading tools.
AFX Fast account, exclusive to the AFX Fast platform, requires a $2,000 deposit, offering STP execution with spreads from 0.4 pips.
In addition to the mainstream accounts, STO has developed specialized accounts such as the Crypto Account for trading CFDs on major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin under optimal conditions with a $500 minimum deposit and 1:5 leverage. The FIX API account caters to high-frequency, protocol-based trading, ensuring ultra-fast execution and anonymity for automated systems. This account type supports trading in Forex, CFDs on Metals, Indices, Cryptocurrencies, and Oil with Multi-Tiered Executable Streaming Prices. Furthermore, STO offers a MAAM solution for qualified money and asset managers, providing a wide range of optimization solutions and tools to enhance management efficiency.
STO provides a variety of payment options for depositing funds into your trading account, ensuring a seamless start to your trading journey. The broker accepts major credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, and Visa Electron. Additionally, digital wallet services such as Skrill, Przelewy24, CashU, WebMoney, Paysafecard, Neteller, Qiwi, along with Wire Transfer, are available. The broker accommodates transactions in multiple currencies, specifically EUR, USD, GBP, and PLN, catering especially to our Polish clients, thereby making the funding process convenient and flexible for traders worldwide. Withdrawals are designed to be straightforward and hassle-free, with the broker covering all associated fees, which underscores their commitment to providing a trader-friendly environment.
The comprehensive review of STO portrays the broker as a fully regulated entity, holding licenses that guarantee the confidentiality and security of trades across a variety of markets. STO broadens the trading horizon by offering an extensive range of trading instruments, including Cryptocurrencies. Additionally, it accommodates different trading preferences by providing both standard and ECN execution models. This flexibility ensures that traders of all volumes and strategies can find a suitable cooperation pathway with the broker.
STO Update since August 2019 ▲
Recent updates from the company and regulatory bodies reveal that AFX Markets Ltd and AFX Capital Markets Ltd, both integral parts of STO, have had their licenses suspended by notable financial authorities such as FCA and CySEC. This significant development highlights the importance of conducting thorough research on STO before making any trading or investment decisions. For further details, it's recommended to keep abreast of broker news and regulatory updates.
