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Binary betting is a type of financial betting which displays the price of a bet as an odds index from 0 to 100 where the bet settles at 100 if an event happens and 0 if it does not. The greater the likelihood of an event happening the higher this price will be. A price of 91-93, for example, suggests the betting. However, binary options has much lower entry requirements, as some brokers allow people to start trading with as low as $10. Disadvantages of Binary Trading Reduced Trading Odds for Sure-Banker Trades. The payouts for binary options trades are drastically reduced when the odds for that trade succeeding are very high.

Serious traders and professional investment institutions alike are almost perpetually on the lookout for new methods of trading, and new investment tools that add flexibility to their portfolio. With the rise in online brokers and the increasing popularity of spread betting and other ‘out-of-the-box’ trading vehicles amongst consumer investors, a variety of alternative investment styles have sprung up to satisfy the demand for trading flexibility. One such style is known as binary betting, a fixed odd spread betting-like instrument.

Binary betting presents the trader with a binary option on a given market. The market will only move either up or down, and regardless of the extent of the movement in either direction, the trade presents an all or nothing outcome, awarded at either 100 or 0. In effect, this means the trader is essentially just backing the direction of the market, making no warranties on the volume of movement in a particular direction. Prices are quoted as spreads which represent fixed odds depending on the broker’s interpretation of likely market movements, and thus the spread represents the maximum profit and loss from the outset.

Here’s a working example: the binary betting market for the FTSE 100 is quoted with a spread of 48-51, the interval representing the broker’s commission portion on the transaction. If a trader thinks the FTSE will have a positive day, he could ‘buy the spread at 52 at a rate of £1 per point. If the market moves up by 1 point on the day, the trade will be closed at 100, representing a profit of £48 (100-52 x £1). If the market closes 1 point down on the day, the loss will be £52 (52-0 x £1).

Note that even if the market moves up or down by 20 points on the day, or even 200 points, the binary bet will deliver the same return. The trader is merely taking a position on the movement of the market.

Binary trading is a great way to quickly take a position on the direction of a market, with fixed odds and no need to worry about the subtleties of market pricing. Delivering much of the same benefits to traders as spread bets, including significant leverage, binary betting is becoming an increasingly more widespread and profitable trading vehicle.

Binary betting is similar to spread betting in a number of key areas, yet its main distinction is held within the name. A spread bet can close one point up or down, or it can close 100 points up or down – a binary bet is much more black and white. Binary bets provide fixed odds for investors, with fixed earnings and loss limits. If a binary bet is successful, it is settled up at 100, with the difference between the 100 and the buy price giving the multiple of return for the stake. If a binary bet loses, it is settled at 0.

Binary betting is popular because it provides a certain flexibility that isn’t available with other trading tools, and additional flexibility for traders is always a good thing for hedging risk and presenting a greater variety of profitable trading scenarios.

One of the key advantages of binary betting as a trading style is the ability to calculate your potential earnings and losses from a given transaction. Unlike many forms of trading, where the extent of a win is significantly dependent on the degree to which you’ve made the right call, binary betting moves on either a win or a loss – with settlement at a guaranteed level of either 0 or 100, it becomes simple to put a figure on your total liability or potential upside gain.

Binary bets are quotes on spreads, similar to spread betting, between 0 and 100. The closer these spreads are to 100, the more likely an event is to occur – for example, if the FTSE is quoted at 89-94, it is thought very likely that the market will rise that day, with a maximum upside of just 6 times your stake. However, odds of 15-21 make an event unlikely in the eyes of the broker quoting the spreads, leaving a large scope for earnings on the upside.

Calculating earnings and losses in binary betting is an easy process. Here’s an example to illustrate the necessary calculation.

Suppose you bet on oil prices to rise, at spreads of 63-68, therefore buying at 68 at £10 per point. If your position loses on the day, you’re down £680 (68 x £10) – no more, no less. If your position wins, either by a 1 point market movement or a 10,000 point movement, your bet is settled at 100 – thus, 100-68 = 32, 32×10 = £320 profit. Note that the broker’s commission is already factored in, as the width between the 63 and 68, so £320 is your take home profit from the transaction.

Thus, the formula for calculating earnings with binary bets can be broken down as follows:

Winnings = (100 – buy rate) x stake

Likewise, for calculating losses, the formula can be express as:

Losses = Buy rate x stake

Of course, these formulae are reversed for short positions, i.e. if you ‘sell’ the market rather than ‘buy’. Nonetheless, the calculus of profit and loss with binary betting is arguably one of the most straightforward in investing, thanks to its fixed odds nature.

How Binaries Work – Binary Bets Explained

Binary betting can at first seem like an alien concept, particularly for traders unfamiliar with spread betting and the concept of fixed odds. In actuality, it serves as an easier trading style than many others, insofar as understanding the ins and outs of the system are concerned. While the individual markets for binary bets vary depending on the broker you chose, the basic underlying principles remain the same.

Binary bets are quoted similarly to spread betting, which defines both the buy price, the sell price and the commission component taken by the broker. The outcome is then settled as either a win or a loss – numerically, that’s 100 or 0 respectively. If you buy a position and the market moves up, you win, whereas if the market falls, you lose.

Note that binary betting is not concerned with the volumes of movement in a market – it’s simply a bet on whether the market will move up or down. This makes it (theoretically) easier for the trader to call the outcome, and in essence, you can only ever be right or wrong – there’s no margin for a small gain or a massive loss.

Another example: a broker quotes spreads for binary bets on oil prices at 63-68. This represents a reasonable likelihood that the market will rise over the period, because the broker has effectively shortened the odds offered. The trader can buy at 68, and if the market rises, his profit portion is stake x (100-68). If the market falls, his loss is stake x 68.

This means there is a cap on the potential profits and losses that can be taken from a transaction. Unlike spread betting, where the extent of market swings represent greater returns (or losses), it is only the direction of movement that factors in to the equation when dealing in binary bets.

Regardless of the market the binary bets are offered on, the fundamental concept works the same – bets are settled at either 100 or 0, and are quoted on spreads that sit somewhere within that range, allowing the trader to capitalize on forecast market movements.

Binary betting can be a particularly effective strategy when implemented as part of a wider trading portfolio. The flexibility it provides allows traders to speculate on market movements, either as an addition to their other trading activities or as a hedge against wayward positions in other transactions. A cost effective, straightforward, tax-efficient trading style, binary betting can be an invaluable tool when implemented correctly.

One of the key ways in which binaries can be used to good effect as part of a trading portfolio is in hedging. Hedging is the process of taking two complimentary positions to offset losses in either, with the ideal outcome being to provide traders with a win in either direction or to mitigate losses if markets move against their positions. Because binaries can be processed to determine exactly the profit or loss that will arise, they are a great tool for hedging, and can factor in to the risk calculus to help minimize losses.

Suppose you are backing the FTSE 100 to move considerably up on the day, off the back of some strong results and a strong close in the US markets. Spread betting on the upward movement of the market could pave the way for significant gains, but if the market falters, you could end up losing an equally considerable amount.

The solution? To sell the FTSE in a binary. This could lead to a situation where a rising market will cancel out the losses on the binary position, whereas if the market unexpectedly fell, you would be able to offset much of those losses by the downside gain on the binary bet. Of course, it’s all dependent on the prices and the spreads offered, but opportunities like this are available to help minimize certain of the risks associated with trading.

It is also possible to use binary betting to capitalize on market movements over short periods of time, as a sort of ‘double up’ to other positions. If oil prices look set to rise on the day, a binary bet could be a good way to enhance profits over the short-term, even if you have larger positions outstanding in the market for a longer time-frame. Because binary betting only works on the direction of the market rather than the extent of any movement in your favour, this makes it the ideal tool for capitalize on forecast market directional movements over shorter time spans.

Binary betting can be used in a variety of ways to bolster a trading portfolio, and depending on your individual trading style you might be able to integrate binaries to a greater or lesser extent in your trading. Either way, it is important to be aware of binaries as a comparatively straightforward trading option, to help maximize gains on the upside offset losses from elsewhere.

Trusted and regulated UK binary options brokers provide traders with the opportunity to speculate on a range of underlying assets, via both web based trading platforms or mobile apps. Brokers operate in a range of different ways, some develop bespoke platforms, others will use white label sites. Likewise, some are referred to as ‘over the counter’ (OTC) brokers, while others operate an exchange.

Our vetted comparison table below allows you to quickly scan the key points for any recommended, reputable broker. Our detailed expert reviews cover in-depth analysis of the platform, deposit and withdrawal options, bonuses, demo accounts and even complaints for a specific firm – and give each a ranking / rating.

Finally, below the broker comparison table list, we explain how to compare online brokers – and why some elements might be more important to you than to someone else. You should therefore, have all the information you need right here, to make the best choice for you when it comes to finding a safe binary broker.

UK Brokers – Comparison and Reviews

How to Find the Best Binary Broker

Identifying the best regulated binary options broker depends entirely on the needs of the specific investor. A ‘Top 5’ or even ‘Top 10’, might not contain a single brand that suits your style. A trader needs to consider a range of things when selecting a genuine premier broker to join. This will include the asset classes, or market, they want to invest in and the size of their average investment, to name but two.

Here at binaryoptions.co.uk we list all the useful facts that will help an individual to select which trading broker they would like to open an account and sign up with. We have also analysed our most frequently asked questions, and know that the following features are important when traders are deciding on a broker;

1. What is the Minimum Deposit?
2. What is the Minimum trade / Minimum Investment?
3. Does the broker offer a Demo Account?
4. Is the broker offering a signals service?
5. Does the broker provide trading via a mobile app?
6. Is there a Bonus available for new trader accounts? (Terms and conditions are equally important)
7. Which is the best binary trading platform?
8. Who offers the best asset lists and markets?
9. Which broker has the largest range of expiry times?
10. Who are the regulated binary options brokers?
11. What types of options are available? (Touch, Ladder, Range, Pairs etc)
12. Software Integration (brands that use MT4 – MetaTrader 4 for example)
13. Is a halal or Islamic account available?
14. Does the broker offer easy withdrawals, early closure or flexible deposit and payment methods?

There is also information on promos such as competitions or contest with cash prizes, or tech.

Regulated Brokers

Our broker reviews will be specific about which regulator is responsible for each broker. In the UK, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulate a number of brands already – not because they trade binary options – but because they also allow clients to trade Contracts for Difference or forex. Some binary options brokers have chosen to to register with the FCA – but this is not the same as being regulated by them. It is a key point if UK traders in particular want the piece of mind that FCA regulation gives.

Regulation gives traders a better idea if a broker is genuine, and legitimate. In the US, the CFTC regulates the financial sector. Only Nadex and CBOE are officially licensed to offer binary trading. Regulated brands in Europe will not offer services to US traders. CySec is the main European regulator. They have recently clamped down on some of the brands under their jurisdiction – cleaning up a large part of the industry in the process. CySec regulated brokers are permitted to accept UK traders. The MiFID II directives mean a Cypriot licence can be ‘passported’ for UK clients.

In Australia, ASIC (Australian Securities and Investing Commission) regulate financial institutions – including brokers. Their oversight is on par with the FCA. Malta and the Isle of Man also license some binary operators based on a gaming permit. These also offer a strong level of protection.

Binary Trading Demo Accounts

Sign up bonuses and demo accounts are two factors that are designed to entice new account holders. Both are extremely effective at attracting beginners and new customers and it is easy to see why.

Bonuses are generally paid as a deposit match, or sometimes once a set number of trades have been settled, for a set amount. There are generally restrictions, or terms and conditions that need to be met before the funds are available to be withdrawn. It is worth spending some time understanding those terms before signing up. If the terms are not likely to be met (for example a volume of trades within the first few weeks) then the bonus loses any appeal and that broker may no longer be the best choice. There are also some terms which restrict even the the withdrawal of the initial deposit – not just bonus funds. These are thankfully rare – but highlight the need for checking.

Binary options demo accounts are a great way to get introduced to binary options trading without needing to risk any funds. Investors looking longer term can ensure that the broker is the right one for them once they are trading for real money. Practise or virtual accounts offer a wealth of benefits. They also provide a great way for traders to compare brokers directly or back test trading strategies.

Minimum Deposits

For those investors looking to get involved with binary options for the first time, cheap minimum deposit requirements may be of interest. Traders looking to only risk small amounts, will find a broker with a smaller minimum deposit more appropriate. Low deposit requirements start at £5 or £10. Higher minimum deposits reach £100 or £250. Higher deposits often mean certain benefits, such as improved rates, larger bonuses or access to a higher level account such as VIP or Platinum etc.

All brokers will have a minimum trade requirement too (or minimum investment). These can vary significantly. There will be some investors for whom neither of these are a consideration and if so, these factors do not need to form part of their selection criteria. Minimum trade figures range from £1 to £25 – which is a very sizeable difference if a trader plans to trade frequently. Some newer firms offer cryptocurrency funding options – and a min trade of just $0.1 (or equivalent).

Both minimum trade, and minimum deposit figures are shown in the comparison list. We also list whether a firm accept either Paypal or Skrill for deposits or withdrawals.

How Do Binary Brokers Make Money?

How are brokers paid? It is a popular question. Brokers make money in one of two main ways explained below – both of which are based on easy-to-understand profit models.

Here’s a closer look at how binary options platforms differ from stock brokers, and where the money goes.

Customers approaching over-the-counter (OTC) binary options brokers for the first time are likely to have a question on their mind: “Where’s the commission?”.

The simple answer is that there isn’t one. Although OTC companies are commonly referred to as ‘brokers’, this isn’t strictly accurate. They are not arranging a deal or acting as a middleman; they are basically the counterparty to each of their customers’ positions. So they don’t charge a separate fee or commission for the trade. Instead, each customer is essentially betting against the house.

Here is an example – Let’s say that the broker offers contracts on a particular asset. Of course, there will always be the choice between a Put contract and a Call option. On the binary model, the basic theoretical assumption is always that an equal number of traders will take a contract on each position. It follows that the number of traders in the money will be equal to the losers (in theory).

Potential Profit

With this in mind, here’s an illustration of how an over-the-counter broker operates:

For a contract on a particular asset, a return of 80% is offered.

From its customers, the broker receives:

• £100 for contracts on Put options
• £100 for contracts on Call options
• The broker cashes in on the contracts entered into by the losing traders (on expiry), totalling £100. To the winners, it must return their stake and the profits won – i.e. £100, in addition to £80 profits on the trades.
• From all transactions, the broker is left with a profit of £20.

Shopping around: how brokers offer flexibility…

Returns offered vary from platform to platform. The level also tends to vary from asset to asset. A well-established, and stable platform with lots of users is good news from a trader’s point of view. It means that the broker is big enough to withstand a run of heavy losses without running into liquidity issues. It is also more likely to be operating at, or pretty close to the 50:50 binary model – where there is broad parity in terms of the number of customers taking a position on each side of a contract.

This gives a broker greater leeway to offer attractive arrangements to customers. A successful platform has more scope to offer higher returns – and thereby grow its customer base. Some also refund a percentage of losing trades (rebates). These often give customers the ability to opt between reduced payouts on winning trades in return for a higher refund on a losing position. All of this helps to give traders a welcome degree of control in managing risk.

Exchange Brokers

In the UK, a broker trading binaries over an exchange generally offers additional forms of trading too. For example spread betting or CFD (Contracts for difference) trading. These forms of trading are treated differently to OTC binary platforms from a regulatory point of view. For example ETX Capital and IG Index are fully regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

On pricing, comparing an exchange platforms with a pure OTC platform is tough (because you are not comparing like for like). One way is to look at the margin (difference between buy and sell prices). CMC for instance has a margin of around 4% on binary markets – helping to make it highly competitive, price-wise.

Via one of two ways:

1. As a counterparty, ensuring an ‘over round’ via payout percentages.
2. Via a spread or commission on an exchange traded model

Whichever type of platform you choose, transparency is key – and a reputable platform will always provide clear information on payout rates so you can make informed decisions. For at-a-glance info on payout rates and more detailed information on the pros and cons of all the top platforms, see our comparison list and reviews.

Binary Payouts

One key element to finding the best binary trading account, is the payout percentage offered. This is not always a straightforward comparison. Payouts will vary depending on the underlying asset being traded, and the length (expiry time) of the option. In addition, the payouts could move as the market dictates. So where one broker was originally the best price, things may subsequently change.

The best an investor can hope for is to check the payouts for the types of trades they are most likely to make, and get a feel for which firm offers the best terms most often. Again, demo accounts can help in this regard. In general, exchange traded options offer superior value.

Trade Types

Traders need a binary options broker that delivers what they need. So if you want to trade 60 second options, or end of day options – you need a broker that provides them. Not every broker offers the same type of trade. Ladder and Touch options are not always available with all firms. As mentioned, expiry choices also vary. 30 or 60 second turbo options might be popular, but they are not listed everywhere. Likewise pairs or end of week options might be restricted to just a few brands.

Early closure of trades might be another show stopper. Or the ability to use software with free signals. Traders worldwide have hugely different requirements. Where a broker operates in a certain part of the world, they may only offer the popular trades in that region. A broker in London may offer different products and assets to one in Cyprus, India or Malaysia.

Managed Accounts

Some brokers will offer managed accounts. Traders need to tread carefully in this area. There is a conflict of interest for an over the counter broker to operate a trader’s account. It is unlikely that a managed account will be operated in the best interest of the trader. If the trader makes money, the broker losses money. An employee or agent of the broker is therefore more likely to help the broker, than the trader – it is their job!

For this reason we would not recommend using a managed account – but some brokers do offer them, and where this is the case, it will be mentioned in the review.

MetaTrader 4

Software integration might be key for some traders. Where a trader prefers to use their own price analysis software or service, a broker that can integrate with that is vital. The industry standard is MetaTrader 4 (Mt4) – a platform that allows advanced technical analysis, as well as the execution of trades. The majority of brokers use MT4, and allow traders to trade with it.

Many brokers integrate with this service (and others) via a license or plugin. Leading brokers will also add their own features to the platform – in theory, enhancing it. So if a trader is looking for a firm that can execute trades via this platform, it is a huge benefit. Some brokers are also compatible with MT5 (MetaTrader 5) – but this latest version is yet to gain traction. Though those firms that have adopted it, are to some extent, future proof. It is one further thing to consider when checking the comparison list to find the best provider.

Find The Best Deal For You

As the above demonstrates, finding the best trading platform and binary broker is not always easy – but it is worth remembering that an investor is free to move between brokers whenever they choose, so even if an account turns out to be less useful than was first expected, it is no problem to up sticks and find a new trading firm. Likewise, a trader could have multiple accounts, and open trades at the broker with the best terms for that particular trade. A trader should not be tied down.

Binary Betting Companies Online

Within our website, we provide a wealth of information that can help in choosing the best options broker, here are a selection of articles that will help;

FAQ

Best brokers for beginners?

The best brokers for beginners will be those that offer a demo account. These accounts allow absolute beginners and those new to binary options, to try out the trading platforms risk free.

The majority of brokers will offer this facility, as it gives them a chance to demonstrate their platform.

In most cases, a demo account will not require any deposit, and a trader can open multiple accounts at various brokers. Each can be tried out, and the trader can then decide which they prefer.

Another point for beginners is that they should probably focus less on bonuses. This is because it is easy to fall into over-trading, or simply not make best use of the bonus funds. More experienced traders are better placed to ensure any bonus suits their trading style, and will not impact how they trade.

Better comparison factors for beginners might be:

• Minimum trade amounts
• Ease of use of the platform
• Educational materials available.

Which is the best trading platform?

Answering a question like “Which is the best trading platform?” is hard, simply because trading platforms often come down to the preference of a specific trader. One user might prefer a simple layout, another might want a lot of information available all the time.

That said, platforms do differ in quality, both in terms of ease of use, and features. In very general terms, brands which also offer Contracts for Difference (in addition to binary options) provide more feature-rich trading platforms. Likewise, brands that have created their own platforms, will offer superior services than a ‘white label’ that uses a platform provider such us SpotOption.

So the likes of CMC and ETX Capital, all deliver a very professional trading platform. MetaTrader integration is also more likely at these brokers. This difference in quality is simply a reflection of the maturity of binary options as a product, and binary brands are catching up very quickly – while still offering something different. IQ Option, for example, deliver a hugely entertaining experience, illustrating the change in style that some brokers will deliver.

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How to avoid scam brokers?

Our scams page provides a list of ways to identify if a broker is genuine and safe. We also provide a broker blacklist of services to absolutely stay away from. With new platforms able to setup quickly, it is not a complete list of brokers, but the tips on spotting a scam should help most traders.

With so many honest and genuine brokers, there is little point in risking using a cheap broker that has attracted a lot of complaints.

Brokers with low minimum deposit?

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The number of binary options brokers offering a low minimum deposit is growing quickly, reflecting an increasing demand for a lower entry level from traders.

Previously, minimum deposits had been quite high, but now Binary.com, Ayrex and IQ Option all offer low minimum deposits of £10 or less. This represents a real confidence from those brokers, that traders will like their trading platform and go on to make more deposits once they are familiar with the brand.

CMC Markets also offer a low minimum deposit, only requiring the deposit to match the trade size the traders wishes to place.

Who offers demo accounts?

In our demo accounts page, we explain the benefits of using a demonstration account, and also show who provides them.

The majority of respected brands will offer a demo account, or practice account. In theory, it is a great way for them to ‘show off’ their platform. So those brokers that offer this type of account, obviously have faith in their platform and the technology that supports it.

Our comparison table shows clearly whether the broker provides a demo account or not. The in-depth review will inform readers about the specific detail of the account (if a deposit is required, or if the account is time restricted for example).

Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency

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Cryptocurrency is a booming area for brokers of all types. Bitcoin and Ethereum are currently the most popular, but there are over 15 different currencies already. Whether you consider them a novelty, or the future of finance, brokers now make trading them easy.

With Bitcoin in particular, anyone looking to invest or trade may have thought the process was difficult. Recently however, brokers are giving traders access to these market in a very simple way. The currencies can be traded directly, in a similar way to oil or gold. They can also be traded in a currency pair, with several brokers offering the BTCUSD pair. This can be traded just like any other forex pair.

Some brokers will accept bitcoin or other cryptocurrency as a deposit method. So traders can deposit, trade with, and be paid in Bitcoin, DASH, Litecoin or any other crypto. So whatever your view is on this new craze, it is now very easy to take a position and profit. Read our guide to trading bitcoin.

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More Comparisons

• Exchange traded or Over the Counter? Which type of broker will best suit a particular trading style?
• CFD Brokers Brokers that offer CFDs in addition to binary options
• Best Binary options payouts Why is finding the best payout important and how to find the best binary payout for you.
• Binary options bonuses Why terms and conditions are crucial, and highlighting binary options brokers that allow traders to turn down any unsuitable bonuses

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Further Reading