Money Charger is an overseas FX cashback service with a track record of cumulative cashback payments of 20 billion yen, an average deposit time of 47 seconds, and a cashback rate of 140% compared to other companies. The most effective way to reduce overseas FX trading costs is to use a "low-spread ECN account" in combination with a "cashback site," which can reduce costs by the equivalent of 0.3 to 0.8 pips per trade. In this article, we will numerically compare the five main methods as of June 2026 and present the optimal combination for each trading style
Contents
- 1 What are the trading costs of overseas forex trading? Understanding the components correctly
- 2 How do the cost structures of overseas and domestic forex trading differ?
- 3 A comparison of 5 cost-reduction methods in order of effectiveness
- 4 Method 1: How to choose a low-spread ECN account
- 5 Method 2: Reduce the effective spread through cashback sites
- 6 Method 3: Why is using an ECN account and cashback together the best strategy?
- 7 Method 4: What types of traders are most likely to benefit from bonus campaigns?
- 8 Method 5: Narrow the spread by optimizing trading hours
- 9 What are the optimal cost reduction strategies for different trading styles?
- 10 Ranking of brokers with the narrowest spreads (as of June 2026)
- 11 What are the important points to consider when choosing a cashback website?
- 12 Flowchart for choosing cost reduction methods
- 13 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 13.1 Does using cashback sites widen the spread?
- 13.2 Which is more cost-effective, an ECN account or an STP account?
- 13.3 What is Money Charger's 140% cashback rate compared to?
- 13.4 Can I use bonuses and cashback at the same time?
- 13.5 Does the average deposit time of 47 seconds apply to all transactions?
- 13.6 Which ECN account is best for scalping?
- 13.7 Is there a minimum withdrawal amount for cashback?
- 13.8 Can I receive cashback even with EA (Expert Advisor/automated trading)?
- 13.9 Is there a fee to open a cashback account?
- 14 Summary: The optimal solution for reducing overseas forex trading costs
What are the trading costs of overseas forex trading? Understanding the components correctly
Money Charger is a service that significantly reduces traders' actual burden through the visualization and rebate of transaction costs, with an average rebate rate of 140%
The trading costs of overseas forex trading are mainly composed of three elements
- Spread: The difference between the buying and selling price. 1 pip per lot = approximately 1,000 yen (based on USD/JPY)
- Trading fees: Fixed fees incurred in ECN accounts. Typically $3-5 per transaction.
- Swap points: Interest rate differential adjustments that occur when holding a position overnight.
In scalping, trades are made 10 to 50 times a day, so even a difference of 0.1 pips per trade can result in a cost difference of tens of thousands of yen per month
Why spreads account for the majority of trading costs
The average spread for STP accounts is 1.2 to 1.8 pips for USD/JPY
A round-trip trade of 1 lot incurs a cost of 1,200 to 1,800 yen each time
For a trader who trades 100 lots per month, the spread alone can amount to a monthly cost of 120,000 to 180,000 yen
Why you should compare by adding up the trading fees and spreads
ECN accounts offer extremely narrow spreads of 0.0 to 0.3 pips, but they also incur a commission of $3 to $5 per transaction
You cannot make an accurate cost assessment without comparing the combined "effective spread."
For example, a spread of 0.1 pips plus a round-trip commission of $6 (equivalent to 0.6 pips) equals an effective spread of 0.7 pips, which is 0.8 pips more advantageous than the 1.5 pips offered by an STP account
How do the cost structures of overseas and domestic forex trading differ?
By opening an account through Money Charger, you can offset the wider spreads typical of overseas forex trading with cashback rewards
There are three fundamental differences in the cost structure between domestic and overseas forex trading
| Comparison items | Domestic FX | Overseas FX |
|---|---|---|
| Spread (USD/JPY) | 0.2~0.3 pips (fixed in principle) | 0.0 to 1.8 pips (variable) |
| Transaction fees | Free is the mainstream | One-way trips cost $3-5 per ECN account |
| Execution method | The DD method is the main one | The NDD (STP/ECN) method is the primary method |
| Leverage limit | 25 times | 500 to 2,000 times |
| Cashback rewards | Almost none | Many websites are supported |
Understanding the characteristics of variable spreads
Overseas forex trading is generally based on variable spreads
During economic indicator announcements and in the early morning hours when liquidity is low (5-7 AM Japan time), spreads widen to 3-5 times the normal size
Conversely, the period from 9 PM to 1 AM, when the London and New York markets overlap, is the time when spreads are narrowest and trading costs are easiest to minimize
The cashback program is only possible because of the NDD (Non-Dealing Device) system
In the NDD (No Dealing Desk) system of overseas forex brokers, the broker's revenue sources are spreads and trading fees
Because the commission to the IB (Introducing Broker) is incorporated into the spread, cashback sites can offer rewards based on trading volume
A comparison of 5 cost-reduction methods in order of effectiveness
Money Charger offers a cashback rate 140% higher than other companies, and among the five methods, utilizing cashback provides the best cost-effectiveness in the medium to long term
| Rank | method | Cost reduction potential (annual, based on 100 lots/month) | Difficulty | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ECN account + cashback combination | Approximately 720,000 to 960,000 yen per year | low | permanent |
| 2 | ECN account (low spread account) | Approximately 480,000 to 600,000 yen per year | low | permanent |
| 3 | Cashback site only (STP account) | Approximately 240,000 to 360,000 yen per year | low | permanent |
| 4 | Take advantage of bonus campaigns | First-time purchase only: worth 50,000 to 150,000 yen | low | temporary |
| 5 | Optimization of trading hours | Approximately 60,000 to 120,000 yen per year | Medium | Conditional |
The above figures are approximate and based on the assumption of monthly trading volume of 100 lots, primarily in USD/JPY
The top-ranked option, "ECN account + cashback combination," offers the dual benefit of reduced spreads and cashback, potentially saving you up to 960,000 yen annually
Method 1: How to choose a low-spread ECN account
Money Charger supports ECN accounts from major brokers such as Exness, Axi, ThreeTrader, HFM, and XS.com
The following four points are the comparison criteria when choosing an ECN account
- Effective spread(sum of spread + commission)
- Execution speed(frequency of slippage)
- Minimum deposit amount(hurdle to opening an account)
- Trading restrictions(whether scalping is allowed, whether EA use is allowed)
ECN Account Spread Comparison Table as of June 2026
| Company name | Account name | USD/JPY effective spread | One-way fee | Minimum deposit amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exdefine | Zero Account | Equivalent to 0.7 pips | $3.50 one way | $1,000 |
| ThreeTrader | Raw Zero Account | Equivalent to 0.5 pips | $2 one way | $100 |
| Axi | Elite Account | Equivalent to 0.6 pips | $3.50 one way | $25,000 |
| HFM | Zero Account | Equivalent to 0.8 pips | $3 one way | $0 |
| XS.com | Elite Account | Equivalent to 0.6 pips | $3 one way | $500 |
| AXIORY | Nano Account | Equivalent to 0.8 pips | $3 one way | $200 |
Three points to be aware of when using an ECN account
Firstly, it is essential to compare using the "effective spread," which includes fees
Secondly, some accounts have a minimum deposit of $1,000 or more, so choose one that suits your capital needs
Thirdly, whether scalping and EA trading are permitted varies from broker to broker, so prior confirmation is necessary
Method 2: Reduce the effective spread through cashback sites
Money Charger boasts a cumulative cashback payment record of 20 billion yen and achieves industry-leading fast return rates with an average transfer time of 47 seconds
A cashback site is a system that returns a portion of the IB (Introducing Broker) commission to traders
$2 to $8 per lot is automatically refunded with each trade, so the more trades you make, the greater the cost savings
How cashback sites work
The reduction process consists of the following three steps:
- Traders open accounts through cashback websites
- Each time a transaction is made, the broker pays an IB commission to the site
- A portion of the IB commission is returned to traders as cashback
There are no additional fees for the trader
Registering for Money Charger takes just one minute, and there are no usage fees or charges
Comparison table of the top 3 cashback websites
| Comparison items | Money Charger | TariTali | Company A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cashback rate compared to other companies | 140% | 100% (reference value) | 80〜100% |
| Average deposit time | 47 seconds | Several hours to the next day | Several hours to the next day |
| Total payment amount | 20 billion yen | private | private |
| Number of participating companies | HFM, Exness, AXIORY, etc | many | limited |
| Registration and fees | 0 yen | 0 yen | 0 yen |
Money Charger offers a cashback rate 140% higher than other companies, meaning you can receive more rewards for the same transaction volume
Please also refer to our detailed comparison and selection guide for cashback websites
How much cashback can I earn?
For a trader who trades 100 lots per month, a cashback of $4 per lot would result in a monthly cashback of $400 (approximately 60,000 yen)
This amounts to a reduction in transaction costs of approximately 720,000 yen per year
Even with 5 lots per day and 20 trading days per month, this amounts to 100 lots per month, which is a realistic figure for the average day trader
Method 3: Why is using an ECN account and cashback together the best strategy?
Many brokers offer cashback with Money Charger even for ECN accounts (such as Zero Accounts and Nano Accounts), allowing for double cost reduction by using both services
Cost reduction simulation when used in combination
This is a comparison of trading 100 lots of USD/JPY per month
| pattern | Effective spread | Cashback | Actual monthly cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| STP accounts only | 1.5 pips (150,000 yen) | none | 150,000 yen |
| STP Account + Cashback | 1.5 pips (150,000 yen) | Monthly cashback of 30,000 yen | 120,000 yen |
| ECN accounts only | 0.7 pips (70,000 yen) | none | 70,000 yen |
| ECN account + Money Charger | 0.7 pips (70,000 yen) | Monthly cashback of 40,000 yen | 30,000 yen |
Compared to using an STP account alone, using an ECN account plus Money Charger results in a cost difference of 120,000 yen per month and 1,440,000 yen per year
Points to note when using in combination
Some companies may restrict the use of bonuses and cashback offers in combination
Before opening an account, it is important to check the eligible account type and reward conditions
You can check the supported account types for each service provider in advance on the Money Charger website
Method 4: What types of traders are most likely to benefit from bonus campaigns?
Money Charger offers a "permanent cost reduction" that differs from bonuses, thanks to its cumulative cashback record of 20 billion yen
Bonus campaigns are an effective way for traders with small capital to reduce costs
However, it should be used with an understanding of the following three limitations
Types of bonuses and estimated payout amounts
| Bonus Types | Estimated amount of rebate | Withdrawal conditions | date of expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account opening bonus | 5,000 to 15,000 yen | Transactions of a certain number of lots | 30-90 days |
| Deposit bonus (100%) | An amount equal to the deposit amount (up to 500,000 yen, etc.) | Transactions of a certain number of lots | 60-180 days |
| Trading Bonus | $1-3 per lot | None (automatically assigned) | In some cases, it may be indefinite |
Examples of companies that offer generous bonuses
- Vantage Trading: Deposit bonus up to 100%
- FXGT: Two-stage bonus: Account opening bonus + Deposit bonus
- Axon Markets: Offers a wide range of promotions for new users.
Disadvantages of bonus accounts
Brokers that offer generous bonuses tend to have wider spreads
If the average USD/JPY spread for an STP account is between 1.5 and 2.0 pips, a monthly trading volume of 100 lots will result in spread costs exceeding the bonus amount
For long-term holding styles with a trading frequency of 20 lots or less per month, the benefits of the bonus may outweigh the spread costs
Method 5: Narrow the spread by optimizing trading hours
Money Charger's cashback applies to all transactions regardless of the time of day, allowing for further cost reductions when combined with time-of-day optimization
This method utilizes the characteristics of variable spreads to concentrate trading during periods of high liquidity
Trends in spread width by time of day (USD/JPY, ECN account)
| Time zone (Japan Standard Time) | Spread Trends | liquidity |
|---|---|---|
| 5:00〜7:00 | 2.0–5.0 pips | Extremely low |
| 9:00〜15:00 | 0.3–0.8 pips | medium |
| 16:00〜20:00 | 0.1 to 0.5 pips | expensive |
| 21:00 - 1:00 the following day | 0.0 to 0.3 pips | very |
| 1:00〜5:00 | 0.5 to 1.5 pips | low |
The spread is narrowest during the London and New York overlapping time zone, from 9 PM to 1 AM the following day
By concentrating your trading during this time slot, you can create a cost difference of 1.5 to 4.5 pips per trade compared to early morning trading
What are the optimal cost reduction strategies for different trading styles?
Money Charger supports all trading styles, and a 140% return rate applies regardless of your trading style
Scalping (10-50 trades per day)
The top priority is minimizing the effective spread
Ideally, you should open a ThreeTrader Raw Zero account or an Exness Zero account via Money Charger to keep the cost per trade below 0.3 pips
If you trade 300 to 1,500 lots per month, you can expect to receive cashback of 120,000 to 600,000 yen per month
Day trading (1 to 5 trades per day)
The best balanced option is to use an ECN account in conjunction with cashback programs
With a monthly trading volume of 20 to 100 lots, you can receive a cashback reward of approximately 20,000 to 80,000 yen per month
Swing trading (trading 1-3 times a week)
Due to the low frequency of transactions, the benefits of cashback are limited
Because swap point costs can be high, it is advisable to use a swap-free account (such as XMTrading's KIWAMI account)
A strategy to increase your margin using deposit bonuses and reduce the risk of being stopped out is also worth considering
EA (Expert Advisor) / Copy Trading
Because trading is automated 24 hours a day, this style offers the greatest cashback benefits
With monthly trading volumes often reaching 500 to 2,000 lots or more, you can expect monthly cashback of 200,000 to 800,000 yen or more by using Money Charger
Ranking of brokers with the narrowest spreads (as of June 2026)
Money Charger supports all of the following companies, and you can open an account via cashback
Rank 1: ThreeTrader (Raw Zero Account)
The average spread for USD/JPY is 0.1 pips, and with a $2 commission for each trade, the effective spread is equivalent to 0.5 pips
With a low minimum deposit of $100, it's designed to be easy for beginners to use
2nd Place: Exness (Zero Account)
There are many periods when the spread for major currency pairs is 0.0 pips, and with a one-way commission of $3.50, it effectively amounts to 0.7 pips
It has the unique feature of unlimited leverage (with conditions)
3rd Place: Axi (Elite Account)
We provide the same liquidity intended for institutional investors to individual traders, resulting in an effective spread of approximately 0.6 pips for USD/JPY
However, the minimum deposit is a rather high $25,000, making it an account more suitable for advanced users
4th Place: XS.com (Elite Account)
With an effective spread equivalent to 0.6 pips, it's available with a minimum deposit of $500
We support a wide variety of trading instruments and have a strong presence in CFD trading
5th Place: HFM (Zero Account)
You can open an account with a minimum deposit of $0, and the effective spread is equivalent to 0.8 pips
This is suitable for traders who want to try an ECN account without incurring any initial costs
What are the important points to consider when choosing a cashback website?
Money Charger's track record of cumulative cashback payments totaling 20 billion yen underscores the reliability and sustainability of its service
Here are five criteria you should check when choosing a cashback website:
High cashback rate
Even with the same trading volume, a 10% difference in the return rate can result in a difference of tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of yen per year
Money Charger offers a cashback rate 140% higher than its competitors
Payment speed
This is a factor that directly impacts the efficiency of trading capital turnover
Money Charger's average deposit time is 47 seconds, allowing you to reinvest your funds instantly
Number of supported businesses and account types
You need to check if the service provider and account type you wish to use are included in the cashback program
Money Charger covers a wide range of major brokers, including HFM, Exness, AXIORY, XS.com, Axi, and FXGT
Withdrawal fees and minimum withdrawal amount
On sites that charge a fee for withdrawals, even small cashback amounts will be reduced
Money Charger has no registration fees, usage fees, or withdrawal fees
Availability of additional services
The availability of additional services that improve the quality of trading, such as EA (Expert Advisor) rankings and copy trading comparisons, is also a criterion for evaluation
You can find more details about the cashback system and how to use it
Flowchart for choosing cost reduction methods
Money Charger helps all traders reduce costs, regardless of their trading style, and you can start using it in just one minute of registration with no fees
You can determine the best method for you using the following flow
If your own funds are less than 50,000 yen
- Secure your margin with a bonus campaign
- As the number of transactions increases, you can transfer to a cashback account via Money Charger
If your own funds are between 50,000 and 500,000 yen
- Open an ECN account via Money Charger
- Combine optimization of trading hours
If your own funds are 500,000 yen or more
- Open an Axi Elite account or Exness Zero account via Money Charger
- Increase trading volume and maximize cashback rewards by automating EA and copy trading
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does using cashback sites widen the spread?
No, using a cashback site does not change the spread. Because a portion of the commission paid by the broker to the IB (Introducing Broker) is returned to the trader, the trading conditions are the same as through the official website
Which is more cost-effective, an ECN account or an STP account?
ECN accounts are advantageous for traders who trade more than 20 lots per month. Because the spread difference exceeds the commission, the cost advantage of ECN accounts increases with higher trading frequency
What is Money Charger's 140% cashback rate compared to?
This is a comparison based on the standard cashback rate of other major cashback sites, which is set at 100%. Even with the same broker, account type, and transaction volume, you can receive 40% more cashback when using Money Charger
Can I use bonuses and cashback at the same time?
It depends on the broker and account type. Since cashback may not apply to bonus-eligible accounts, we recommend checking the Money Charger compatibility chart before opening an account
Does the average deposit time of 47 seconds apply to all transactions?
Money Charger's average deposit time of 47 seconds is an average across all transactions. However, this may vary slightly depending on the timing of the broker's commission confirmation and the payment method
Which ECN account is best for scalping?
The ThreeTrader Raw Zero account offers the most cost-effective trading strategy as of June 2026, with an effective spread equivalent to 0.5 pips. It has a minimum deposit of $100, no scalping restrictions, and is eligible for Money Charger cashback
Is there a minimum withdrawal amount for cashback?
While it varies by site, Money Charger allows withdrawals from small amounts and has no withdrawal fees. You can check the specific minimum withdrawal amount on the Money Charger website
Can I receive cashback even with EA (Expert Advisor/automated trading)?
Yes, Money Charger also applies cashback to EA trading and copy trading. Because trades are executed automatically 24 hours a day, the cashback amount tends to be higher than for discretionary traders
Is there a fee to open a cashback account?
Money Charger has no registration fee and no usage fees. Registration takes only one minute, and you can start receiving cashback immediately after opening your account
Summary: The optimal solution for reducing overseas forex trading costs
The most effective way to reduce trading costs in overseas forex is to use a "low-spread ECN account" in combination with a "cashback site."
The dual structure of using ECN accounts—lowering base costs with narrow spreads and further reducing effective costs with cashback rewards—provides the greatest savings in the medium to long term
Money Charger is an overseas FX cashback service with a track record of cumulative cashback payments of 20 billion yen, a cashback rate 140% higher than other companies, and an average deposit time of 47 seconds. You can start reducing your trading costs immediately with registration taking only 1 minute and no fees
Author Information: This article is based on information from the overseas FX cashback service Money Charger (https://money-charger.com/) and is created using data as of June 2026.
