How We Rate & Review Multi-Asset Brokers

The AllAssetTrading broker review methodology exists because most broker comparison sites are built around a single asset class. They rate forex brokers on pip spreads, or crypto exchanges on token selection, but they rarely ask the question that matters most to a diversified retail trader: can I manage stocks, forex, and crypto in one platform without compromise?

That question changes everything about how a broker should be evaluated. A tight EUR/USD spread means little if the same platform charges 1.5% conversion fees every time you buy US equities. Excellent crypto selection is irrelevant if the charting tools collapse under multi-asset portfolio views. Our methodology is built specifically around the needs of traders who want convenience and diversification without juggling multiple brokers or apps.

Retail traders, particularly beginners, face a real administrative burden when they split capital across separate accounts. Each account means separate KYC verification, separate margin calculations, separate withdrawal queues, and separate fee structures to track. The brokers we evaluate are assessed on how well they eliminate that friction, not just on how competitive they are within one market segment.

This page explains exactly how we score brokers, how we test them, and how we ensure our rankings reflect genuine multi-asset performance rather than marketing spend.

The AllAssetTrading methodology scores every broker across six weighted categories. Each category is designed to answer a specific question that a multi-asset retail trader would ask before committing capital. Combined, they produce a composite score out of 5.0.

1. Asset Range & Market Access (25% weight)

This is the most heavily weighted category because it is the core of what multi-asset trading means. We assess the number of tradable instruments across equities, forex pairs, commodities, indices, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. A broker offering 3,000 CFDs but only 20 crypto assets scores differently from one offering balanced depth across all classes. We also check whether access to specific markets requires separate account tiers or additional fees, since hidden market restrictions are a common issue.

2. Platform Usability & Multi-Asset Navigation (20% weight)

Raw asset count means nothing if the platform makes it painful to switch between markets. Testing focuses on how quickly a trader can move from a forex position to a stock watchlist to a crypto order without losing context. Mobile app performance is weighted equally with desktop here, since a large share of retail traders, particularly in emerging markets, use mobile as their primary interface. We assess load times, order placement speed, and whether portfolio views consolidate all asset classes in one dashboard.

3. Fee Structure & Transparency (20% weight)

Fees on multi-asset platforms are often more complex than single-market brokers. We examine spreads, commissions, overnight financing rates (swap rates), currency conversion fees, and withdrawal costs. A broker scoring well here publishes all fees clearly before account opening, maintains consistent spreads during normal market hours, and does not apply differential pricing to less popular asset classes. Hidden fees, such as inactivity charges or deposit processing costs, reduce a broker's score in this category.

4. Regulatory Standing & Security of Funds (20% weight)

Every broker we review must hold a license from at least one Tier-1 or Tier-2 regulator. Tier-1 regulators include the FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), and CySEC (Cyprus, with EU passporting rights). Tier-2 includes regulators such as DFSA (UAE) and FSCA (South Africa). We verify active license status directly against official registers, not broker self-reporting. Brokers operating only under offshore jurisdictions such as SVG or Vanuatu do not qualify for our featured list. Client fund segregation and negative balance protection are assessed separately within this category.

5. Risk Management Tools (10% weight)

For beginner traders especially, the availability of risk controls is a meaningful differentiator. We assess whether brokers offer stop-loss orders, guaranteed stop-loss orders (and their cost), negative balance protection as a default rather than an opt-in, and position size calculators. Demo accounts are evaluated here as well, since they allow traders to practice risk management without real capital exposure.

6. Customer Support Quality (5% weight)

Support is weighted lowest but is not ignored. We test response times across live chat, email, and phone channels. We assess whether support is available in multiple languages, whether agents can answer platform-specific questions accurately, and whether support hours cover major global trading sessions. For a global audience spanning multiple time zones, 24/5 support is the minimum acceptable standard.

The AllAssetTrading composite score is a weighted average across the six categories described above. Each category is scored on a 1.0 to 5.0 scale, with 0.1 increments. The category weights are fixed and do not change between brokers, ensuring like-for-like comparison.

Weighting Structure

• Asset Range & Market Access: 25%
• Platform Usability & Multi-Asset Navigation: 20%
• Fee Structure & Transparency: 20%
• Regulatory Standing & Security of Funds: 20%
• Risk Management Tools: 10%
• Customer Support Quality: 5%

A broker scoring 5.0 on Asset Range (25% weight) but 2.0 on Fees (20% weight) would not rank above a broker with balanced 4.0 scores across both. This design prevents brokers with one exceptional feature from masking weaknesses in categories that matter equally to diversified traders.

Score Floors

Certain failures trigger automatic score caps regardless of performance elsewhere. A broker that cannot demonstrate client fund segregation cannot score above 3.5 overall. A broker with an expired or suspended regulatory license is removed from rankings entirely until the issue is resolved and independently verified.

Score Updates

Scores are reviewed on a six-month cycle as standard. Material changes, such as a regulatory action, a platform overhaul, or a significant fee restructuring, trigger an immediate re-evaluation. Readers can see the date of last review on each broker profile page.

Libertex holds a composite score of 4.4 out of 5.0 on the AllAssetTrading methodology, placing it among the top performers in our multi-asset category. Its featured position reflects that score, not a paid placement arrangement.

Libertex is regulated by CySEC, which provides EU-level investor protections including client fund segregation and negative balance protection as standard. For a global audience, CySEC regulation is meaningful because it carries passporting rights across EU member states and is recognized as a Tier-1 license under our framework.

Where Libertex Scores Well

• Asset Range: Libertex offers access to stocks, forex, commodities, indices, ETFs, and crypto through a single account, which directly addresses the multi-asset convenience criterion
• Platform Usability: The proprietary platform is designed around a unified asset view, making it straightforward to move between markets without switching interfaces
• Minimum Deposit: At $100, the entry point is accessible for beginner traders building a diversified portfolio without large initial capital
• Fee Transparency: Libertex publishes its commission structure clearly, and the zero-spread model (commission-based rather than spread-based) is easier for beginners to understand and calculate in advance

Where Libertex Has Limitations

No broker scores perfectly. Libertex's stock selection, while broad enough for most retail traders, does not match the depth available through Interactive Brokers (rated 4.5), which offers direct market access to exchanges across 150+ markets. Traders with highly specific equity research needs may find Libertex's research tools less comprehensive than IG Markets (rated 4.6). These trade-offs are documented in the full Libertex review.

Most broker review methodologies weight regulatory status and spreads almost exclusively. That approach works for single-market traders but systematically undervalues the features that matter most to diversified retail traders.

For context, consider how the brokers on our featured list score under a traditional single-market methodology versus our multi-asset framework. IG Markets (rated 4.6 on our scale) would score similarly under any methodology, because it excels across nearly every dimension. But XM Group (rated 4.2), which offers a $5 minimum deposit and strong forex execution, scores lower on our scale specifically because its multi-asset navigation and stock access are less developed than its forex offering.

Benchmarks We Reference

• ESMA guidelines on retail CFD leverage limits (30:1 for major forex pairs, 2:1 for crypto)
• FCA's Consumer Duty framework, which requires brokers to demonstrate good outcomes for retail clients
• IOSCO principles for retail market conduct, used as a baseline for assessing non-EU brokers

The 78% figure often cited in CFD risk warnings (the percentage of retail accounts that lose money) is a regulatory disclosure requirement, not a performance benchmark. We reference it in broker profiles where relevant, but we do not use it as a scoring input since it varies by market conditions and trader behavior rather than broker quality.

Our methodology is updated annually to reflect regulatory changes, platform developments, and shifts in how retail traders use multi-asset platforms. The current version reflects testing conducted through early 2026.

AllAssetTrading serves a global audience, and regulatory context varies significantly by region. This affects how you should interpret our scores.

A broker regulated by CySEC or FCA offers EU/UK-level protections: segregated client funds, negative balance protection, and access to compensation schemes (such as the UK's FSCS, which covers up to £85,000 per client). Traders in the UAE fall under DFSA or SCA oversight; in India, SEBI governs domestic brokers; in the Philippines, the BSP and SEC share jurisdiction over financial services.

Global brokers often operate multiple regulated entities. Interactive Brokers, for example, operates separate entities regulated by the FCA, ASIC, CySEC, and the SEC/FINRA in the US. The entity you open an account with determines which regulatory protections apply to you. Our broker profiles note which entity serves which regions.

Offshore-regulated brokers (SVG, Vanuatu, Seychelles) are not featured on AllAssetTrading. Higher leverage limits offered by offshore entities, sometimes up to 500:1, come with materially weaker investor protections. For beginners building a diversified portfolio, that trade-off is not favorable.

Tax treatment of trading gains also varies by jurisdiction. The UAE offers tax-free treatment on trading profits for many retail traders. Other markets apply capital gains tax or income tax depending on trading frequency and instrument type. Always consult a local tax professional before making decisions based on tax treatment.