BrokerTH
Exness and XM are consistently the most popular offshore forex brokers among Thai retail traders, and for good reason: both accept Thai baht deposits, offer Thai-language support, and have been operating in Southeast Asia for over a decade. But they are not interchangeable. After the Fed’s June 17 meeting pushed USD/THB to 33 and volatility across major pairs spiked, the difference between a 1.0-pip and a 1.4-pip EUR/USD spread becomes real money. Here is how they compare on the metrics that matter most in mid-2026.
Spreads and Trading Costs
On their standard accounts, Exness averaged EUR/USD spreads of 1.0 pips during London and New York sessions in recent testing — below the industry average of 1.08 pips. XM’s Standard Account averaged 1.2 pips during London session and 1.4 pips during New York. For a Thai trader doing 10 standard lots per day on EUR/USD, that 0.2–0.4 pip difference translates to roughly $20–40 per day, or over THB 600–1,200 at current USD/THB — meaningful over a month of active trading.
Both brokers offer raw-spread or ECN-style accounts (Exness: Pro/Zero accounts; XM: XM Zero account) where spreads drop to near zero with a per-trade commission. For high-volume traders, these accounts are significantly cheaper than standard accounts on both platforms.
Leverage
Exness offers unlimited leverage on qualifying accounts — a feature unique to Exness among major brokers, though it applies only to Forex and only above certain equity thresholds. XM offers maximum leverage of 1:1000 on major forex pairs for standard accounts. Both levels are far beyond what Thai-regulated domestic entities offer, and both come with proportionally higher risk. Thai retail traders should note: the BoT’s exchange control regulations place limits on the scale of offshore forex hedging that is legally permissible — large positions on offshore brokers remain in a regulatory grey area under Thai law.
Minimum Deposit and Account Opening
Exness: $1 minimum deposit (Standard Cent account). In practice, a working account needs at least $100–200 to trade meaningfully. XM: $5 minimum for a Standard or Micro account, with the same practical caveat. Both accept Thai bank transfers, PromptPay QR code payments, and major e-wallets. Exness has an edge on local payment methods in Thailand, with several Thai-specific banking integrations that allow same-day deposits.
Thai-Language Support
Exness employs dedicated Thai-language support staff available via live chat, typically responding within minutes during Asian trading hours. XM offers Thai-language support through its website, chat, and phone, with a Bangkok-based regional presence. XM has historically been more active in Thai financial education events and webinars — useful for newer traders. Exness’s Thai content on its website and app has expanded significantly in 2025–2026.
Regulation and Safety
Exness is regulated by the UK’s FCA, CySEC (Cyprus), FSCA (South Africa), and several other authorities. XM operates through four global entities, two regulated by Tier-1 regulators (FCA and ASIC). Neither holds a Thai SEC licence — forex trading through offshore brokers in Thailand remains outside the formal Thai regulatory perimeter, meaning disputes are handled under the broker’s home jurisdiction, not Thai law.
The Verdict for Thai Traders in 2026
If minimising trading costs is the priority: Exness wins on spreads. If you are a newer trader who values educational resources and local community presence: XM has a stronger track record in Thailand. For traders using Thai payment methods and local banking, Exness’s payment integrations are marginally better. Both are established, regulated offshore brokers with long operating histories — neither is a fly-by-night scam risk. The practical choice comes down to your trading style: active scalpers and day traders save money with Exness’s tighter spreads; swing traders and beginners may find XM’s platform and support ecosystem more comfortable.
