RealMarkets has been flagged by Financial Conduct Authority for "Unregistered/Unlicensed entity offering financial products or services". This company appears in our regulatory warnings database. Always verify with official regulatory sources before investing or doing business with this firm.
Tried to withdraw my funds from RealMarkets and was told I needed to pay a "withdrawal tax" of 20%. This is a red flag. No legitimate broker charges withdrawal taxes. When I refused, they became aggressive and eventually stopped all communication. My entire investment is gone.
Cons: Cannot withdraw funds|Not regulated|Pressure tactics
RealMarkets seems more interested in acquiring new customers than taking care of existing ones. The marketing is aggressive but the product is mediocre. Once you are past the honeymoon period, the cracks in their service become very apparent.
Pros: Clean UI|Full transparency|Automated trading options|Segregated accounts
Cons: Onboarding videos are outdated
Their execution during news is terrible. I had limit orders in place. When the news hit, my orders were not filled at the limit price - they were filled much worse. RealMarkets said it was market conditions. Same news, another broker filled me properly. They are not honest.
Pros: Personal attention|Full transparency|API access
Cons: Mobile app could be improved
What really bothers me about RealMarkets is the disconnect between their marketing and reality. They position themselves as a premium service but deliver a below-average experience. Found them while looking for alternatives to my previous provider and I fell for the polished exterior. Never again.
Pros: Portfolio tracking tools|Segregated accounts
Cons: Desktop app not available on Linux
Several red flags with RealMarkets: (1) They promise unrealistically high returns, (2) They're not registered with Financial Conduct Authority, (3) Their contact information is vague, (4) They pressure you to deposit quickly. I recommend everyone do thorough due diligence before investing with any company.
Pros: Website looks legitimate on the surface
Cons: Flagged by Financial Conduct Authority|Cannot verify credentials
After doing some research AFTER the fact (I know, I should have done this first), I discovered that RealMarkets is not authorized by any legitimate financial regulator. They are operating illegally. The website looks very professional but it's all a facade. Please check the regulatory warnings database before investing with ANY company.
Cons: Blocked my account|No legitimate license|Fake returns
For anyone considering RealMarkets, please be aware that this company has been flagged by Financial Conduct Authority. This does not necessarily mean they are a scam, but it does mean they may not be authorized to operate in certain jurisdictions. I strongly recommend checking the official regulator website before making any investment decisions.
Pros: Information is publicly available for verification
Cons: Flagged by international regulators|Due diligence required