About AB TRADES
Company Overview
AB TRADES is a forex and CFD broker that began operations in August 2023, according to its founding date. The company's legal name is Alpha Star Marketing Management, and its registered address is Nassima Tower, Trade Center 1, Sheikh Zayed Road, Office 901, in the United Arab Emirates. Although the broker claims to have been registered in 2011, the publicly available information shows a much more recent incorporation, which raises questions about its historical presence.
With a reported employee count of zero, the operation appears to be a lean or entirely outsourced enterprise. The lack of a substantial organizational footprint is noteworthy for a financial services provider, as it often correlates with limited operational oversight and customer support resources.
Regulatory Status
AB TRADES holds no verified regulatory license from any financial authority. In its own description, the company acknowledges it is not regulated by any financial institution. This means that clients of AB TRADES are not protected by the safeguards that typically come with regulated brokers, such as segregated client accounts, compensation schemes, or oversight of business conduct.
Trading with an unregulated broker carries significantly higher risk, as there is no external body to appeal to in the event of disputes or fraudulent activity. Regulatory licenses from well-known jurisdictions like the FCA, CySEC, or ASIC are standard for reputable brokers, and their absence is a critical red flag.
Trading Offerings
The broker states it offers a broad selection of CFD products, though the exact range of instruments—such as forex pairs, commodities, indices, or cryptocurrencies—is not disclosed. AB TRADES advertises two trading platforms: a proprietary WebTrader and the third-party MetaTrader 5 (MT5). MT5 is a widely recognized platform known for advanced charting, automated trading, and multi-asset support, which could be an appealing feature if properly implemented.
However, fundamental details such as typical spreads, maximum leverage, commission structures, and minimum deposit requirements are not publicly available. The broker similarly provides no information about demo accounts, making it difficult for prospective clients to evaluate the trading environment before committing funds.
Funding and Withdrawals
AB TRADES does not outline its accepted deposit and withdrawal methods, processing times, or any associated fees. This lack of transparency is unusual among brokers and leaves clients unaware of the costs and procedures involved in moving their money. User reviews suggest that deposits are sometimes directed to third-party websites like expressmarkets.net, which further complicates the funding process and muddles the trail of funds.
Withdrawal complaints are a recurring theme in user feedback, with several reviewers claiming that their requests to withdraw profits or even their initial deposits were denied unless they deposited additional money. Such practices are a hallmark of advance-fee fraud and are not consistent with legitimate brokerage operations.
User Experience and Reputation
AB TRADES has a limited online footprint, with a Trustpilot score of 2.5 out of 5 based on only 7 reviews. The reviews are predominantly negative, with many explicitly labeling the broker a scam. No rating is available on Forex Peace Army, a major forex community platform, which suggests a lack of engagement with the wider trading community.
The positive reviews that do exist tend to be brief and often mention helpful customer support or initial profits, but these are overshadowed by the volume of complaints highlighting withdrawal blockages and high-pressure sales tactics. The overall sentiment from real users is one of distrust and frustration.
Target Audience
Given its unregulated status, opaque trading conditions, and numerous user complaints, AB TRADES is not suitable for retail traders who prioritize fund safety, regulatory protection, and transparent business practices. It may appeal only to highly speculative traders who are willing to risk total loss and are not deterred by the absence of legal recourse.
However, even for risk-tolerant individuals, the consistent pattern of withdrawal denial and deposit coercion makes AB TRADES an exceptionally dangerous option. Most traders, especially beginners, should avoid this broker entirely and consider regulated alternatives that provide clear disclosures and client fund safeguards.
Overview compiled by FXCanary from regulatory records and public data. full AB TRADES review