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StarTrader Reputation and User Reviews | Thorough Investigation of Safety and Withdrawal Refusal Cases (StarTrader)

Posted by: MoneyChat Editorial Department

StarTrader was formerly an overseas forex broker called IV MARKETS, which was rebranded in 2024 to become the current StarTrader

StarTrader is a promising new overseas forex broker that boasts providing traders with a favorable trading environment

However, many people will want to check before opening an account whether there are any issues common with overseas forex brokers, such as withdrawal refusals or unique trading rules, and whether they offer support in Japanese

Therefore, in this article, we have thoroughly investigated StarTrader's reputation, user reviews, security, and cases of withdrawal refusals

The MoneyChager editorial team has gathered information from the research of over 20,000 users, and we can share real user reviews and opinions, so please look forward to it. We

also take safety into consideration, referencing the Financial Services Agency and the Financial Futures Trading Act

What you will learn from this article

  1. Good reviews and testimonials for StarTrader
  2. Negative reviews and comments about StarTrader
  3. What are the safety and reliability requirements for StarTrader?
  4. Are there any instances of withdrawal refusals at StarTrader?
  5. Who is StarTrader recommended for?
  6. What I learned from actually using StarTrader
  7. About StarTrader account types
  8. StarTrader's current bonus campaign
  9. How to open a StarTrader account
  10. StarTrader deposit and withdrawal methods

Contents

Good reviews and testimonials for StarTrader

Here, we'll introduce some positive reviews and testimonials about StarTrader that we found on social media

  1. StarTrader's positive reviews and testimonials: ① Generous bonus campaigns
  2. StarTrader's positive reviews and testimonials ② Narrow spreads
  3. StarTrader's positive reviews and testimonials ③ Supports copy trading
  4. StarTrader's positive reviews and testimonials ④ Narrow spread on gold
  5. StarTrader's positive reviews and testimonials #5: Fast withdrawals

StarTrader's positive reviews and testimonials: ① Generous bonus campaigns

As of April 2025, StarTrader is offering a 150% + 50% deposit bonus and a welcome bonus

While there is a limit, the 150% deposit bonus is a generous promotional bonus that is not offered by other companies

Additionally, after opening an account, you will receive a $50 (7,500 yen) credit bonus if you meet the conditions

You can find a detailed explanation of StarTrader's promotional bonuses here

StarTrader's positive reviews and testimonials ② Narrow spreads

StarTrader offers extremely narrow spreads, with minimum spreads starting from 0.0 pips depending on the account type

While some account types incur trading fees, even the commission-free Standard account offers narrow spreads starting from a minimum of 1.0 pips

The spread is an important factor that affects all trades, so the narrower it is, the more advantageous your trades will be.

Other brokers with narrow spreads and good trading environments are listed in our spread comparison and recommended overseas FX broker rankings

StarTrader's positive reviews and testimonials ③ Supports copy trading

StarTrader supports popular copy trading

Copy trading is a system that links the trades of popular traders, such as professional traders, to your own account and automates the process, allowing even complete beginners to replicate the same trades as the selected trader

While there is a fee to use it, this system is very popular because it enables high-level automated trading even for beginners who can't read charts or part-time traders who don't have much time to trade

StarTrader's positive reviews and testimonials ④ Narrow spread on gold

StarTrader is known for its narrow spreads on popular precious metal CFDs, especially gold

Gold is prone to trends and has sufficient volatility, but its spreads are often wide, which can make some people hesitant to trade it, even with overseas forex brokers that handle gold

In that respect, StarTrader offers narrow spreads, allowing you to trade with peace of mind.

Check out our complete guide to gold trading in overseas forex markets to learn about trading methods, tips, and recommended brokers

StarTrader's positive reviews and testimonials #5: Fast withdrawals

StarTrader supports various deposit and withdrawal methods, but it is particularly well-regarded for its fast withdrawal speeds for methods other than bank transfers

While it depends on the overseas forex broker and withdrawal method, it usually takes at least several hours for withdrawals to be processed. However, there have been posts stating that , the funds were received in just a few minutes

Delays in withdrawals significantly impact a broker's reliability, and StarTrader, with its fast withdrawals, can be considered highly reliable in this respect

Negative reviews and comments about StarTrader

Here, we'll introduce some negative reviews and comments about StarTrader found on social media

StarTrader's negative reviews and comments ① Slow response time from support

StarTrader accepts inquiries 24 hours a day, 6 days a week

have been criticized for slower response times compared to their competitors

I also tried contacting them, but it took several days to receive a response

While it may vary depending on the time of day and season, those who need an immediate response often find the response time to be slow

StarTrader's (Start Trader) negative reputation/reviews #2: There are cases of withdrawal refusal

Multiple posts have been found stating that users have been denied withdrawals from StarTrader

While StarTrader provides a good trading environment, it also has trading rules in place. It's possible that this transaction violated those rules, but refusing a withdrawal severely damages its credibility and negatively impacts its image.

This page provides a detailed explanation of cases where StarTrader has refused withdrawals

What are the reasons for withdrawal refusals in overseas forex trading and how to deal with them? Tax and tax filing information is also explained

What are the safety and reliability requirements for StarTrader?

This section provides information about StarTrader, including its company profile, security features, and financial licenses it holds

Operating companySTARTRADER LIMITED (formerly IV MARKETS)
Year of establishment2021 (Renewal in 2024)
Registered countryRepublic of Seychelles
Financial LicenseSeychelles Financial Services Authority ( FSA ): 8427362;
Australian Securities and Investments Commission ( ASIC );
South African Financial Sector Conduct Authority ( FSCA )
Maximum leverage1,000 times
Fund management methodSeparate management
Margin callNone (Zero-cut system adopted)
Japanese supportcan be
Trading ToolsMT4
MT5

StarTrader was formerly an overseas forex broker called IV MARKETS, which was rebranded in 2024 to become the current StarTrader

The company highlights a stable trading environment and narrow spreads as its advantages, and also holds three financial licenses

We offer unique deposit bonuses of up to 150% + 50%

You can find detailed information about the bonus campaign currently running at StarTrader here

What financial licenses does StarTrader hold?

StarTrader holds the following financial licenses:

  1. Seychelles Financial Services Authority ( FSA )
  2. Australian Securities and Investments Commission ( ASIC )
  3. South Africa Financial Sector Conduct Supervisory Authority ( FSCA )

StarTrader holds three financial licenses, but not all of them are difficult to obtain or subject to strict regulations

The Seychelles Financial Licensing Authority (FSA) allows companies to obtain licenses even if they are not based in Seychelles, meaning that even shell companies can obtain licenses .

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has a certain level of reliability due to its rigorous review process, which includes a minimum net asset requirement of A$10 million, disclosure of business models, and establishment of risk management systems. However, it is less reliable than financial licenses from institutions such as the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

However, having multiple financial licenses is a positive point, demonstrating a proactive approach to improving credibility.

How do you manage your funds on StarTrader?

At StarTrader, we manage funds segregated accounts

With segregated accounts, customer funds are kept untouched, meaning that even in the unlikely event of StarTrader going bankrupt, there is a possibility that the funds will be returned

However, please note that 100% of the items will not be returned

What is trust protection for overseas forex trading? We'll also explain how it compares to segregated accounts

What other security measures does StarTrader take?

I have Lloyd's insurance

StarTrader is insured by Lloyd's

a type of insurance that protects funds exceeding $20,000 , covering both margin and open positions.

Combined with segregated accounts, it's highly likely that your deposited margin will be returned even if something were to happen to StarTrader

Overseas Forex Broker Safety Ranking | Points to Check and How to Choose a Reliable Broker Explained

What trades and activities are prohibited on StarTrader?

Scalping during periods of low liquidity, holding opposing positions at the same time, and high-leverage trading targeting only market closes or important economic indicator announcements

Are there any instances of StarTrader refusing withdrawals?

Upon investigating instances of StarTrader refusing withdrawals on social media, I found several posts about it

While some posts lack evidence of withdrawal refusals, and therefore not all posts are reliable, it seems that there have been a significant increase in posts about withdrawal refusals in the little over a year since the service was revamped

I also found posts that show interactions with the administrators

Although this post doesn't specify the exact reason for the withdrawal refusal, the text states, "We are contacting you because suspicious or high-risk trading activity has been detected in your trading account," suggesting that this user's trading likely violated StarTrader's prohibited trading terms

StarTrader prohibits scalping during periods of low liquidity, holding opposing positions at the same time, and trading only during the release of important economic indicators. If the reason for the withdrawal refusal was "high-risk trading activity," it is possible that you violated the rule against trading only during the release of important economic indicators

While StarTrader offers high execution speed and narrow spreads, it also prohibits certain types of trading, and if trading is deemed fraudulent, more severe measures, such as account freezing, may be taken

You can find a detailed explanation of the trading methods prohibited by StarTrader here

While the trading terms and conditions are published on the official website, they are all in English, so I think many traders have unknowingly violated the prohibited trading terms

I hope that the terms and conditions will be translated into Japanese in the future

Overseas withdrawal refusals can occur for various reasons, so be sure to check the causes and solutions for withdrawal refusals , as well as the causes and solutions for account freezes

Who is StarTrader recommended for, and who is it not recommended for?

Here, we'll introduce who StarTrader is recommended for and who it's not recommended for

StarTrader is recommended for people who: ① want to get a head start on trading using deposit bonuses

StarTrader is offering a 150% + 50% deposit bonus

While some overseas forex brokers offer a 100% deposit bonus, StarTrader is the only one offering a 150% deposit bonus . This allows you to start trading with 1.5 times your deposit as margin from your very first trade, which is a significant advantage.

Additionally, we are also offering a welcome bonus, so you can earn an extra 50 USD (7,500 yen) by meeting the conditions

You can find detailed information about the bonus campaign currently running at StarTrader here

StarTrader is not recommended for the following people: ① Those who want to trade freely without worrying about terms and conditions

StarTrader offers a good trading environment, but in return, it has trading restrictions.

The prohibited actions are those that many overseas forex brokers also prohibit, but there are also overseas forex brokers that do not have any prohibited actions. Therefore, if you want to trade freely without worrying about prohibited actions, StarTrader may not be suitable for you

What I learned from actually using StarTrader

Here, I'll share the advantages, recommended points, and disadvantages/reasons why I wouldn't recommend StarTrader based on my actual experience using it

StarTrader's advantages and recommended points: ① Low spreads and high execution rate, making trading easy

I tried trading with StarTrader's Standard account, and I was impressed by its high execution speed and smooth trading experience

The spread was among the narrowest in the industry, allowing me to trade repeatedly

I mainly traded during Tokyo hours (around 8am to 5pm), so liquidity wasn't particularly high. I was a little worried because StarTrader prohibits scalping during low-liquidity periods, but there were no problems

Overseas Forex Spread and Commission Comparison List | Introducing Zero Spread Accounts and Brokers with Narrow Spreads

StarTrader's Advantages and Recommended Points ② Generous deposit bonuses allow even small amounts of capital to become sufficient margin

StarTrader's 150% deposit bonus is for first-time users only, but it allows you with a margin of 2.5 times your deposit plus an additional 50% of your deposit , so even users with small deposits can start trading with sufficient margin.

While bonus funds cannot be withdrawn, the amount of margin is very important in high-leverage trading because insufficient margin can quickly lead to a margin call

Overseas Forex Account Opening Bonus & Deposit Bonus Comparison Ranking! [Latest January 2026] Broker List

Disadvantages and reasons why StarTrader is not recommended: ① Unsatisfactory Japanese language support and customer assistance

StarTrader has a Japanese-language official website, and inquiries can be made in Japanese

However, important parts such as the terms of service were not translated into Japanese, which I found inconvenient for users who do not understand English.

In particular, the terms and conditions of trade are crucial because violating them can result in penalties. However, it seems that some users unknowingly violate these terms and conditions because they don't understand English

I believe this problem will be resolved if they focus on the Japanese market going forward, so I have high hopes for the future

StarTrader's disadvantages and reasons why it's not recommended (Part 2): Slow response time from support

As I mentioned in the negative reviews section, I felt that StarTrader was slower to respond to inquiries compared to other companies

You can contact them via email or chat, but with chat, it's unclear whether the other person is reading your message or even if the connection is working, so you have to keep the screen open and wait

Therefore, the advantages of chat were not being utilized, and I switched to email inquiries, but even then, I didn't receive an email confirming receipt of my inquiry, and I didn't get a response until several days later

About StarTrader account types

Here, we'll introduce the account types available on StarTrader

Standard Account

spreadStarting from 1.0 pips
Minimum trading lot size0.01 lot
Maximum order quantityUnlimited
Transaction feesfree
Maximum leverage1,000 times
Stop-loss level20％
Margin callNone (Zero-cut system is used)
Inquiries in Japanesecan be

ECN account

spreadStarting from 0.0 pips
Minimum trading lot size0.01 lot
Maximum order quantityUnlimited
Transaction feescan be
Maximum leverage1,000 times
Stop-loss level20％
Margin callNone (Zero-cut system is used)
Inquiries in Japanesecan be

The main differences between a standard account and an ECN account are the narrower spreads and the presence or absence of trading fees

Standard accounts offer commission-free trading but have wider spreads than ECN accounts. ECN accounts offer extremely narrow spreads starting from a minimum of 0.0 pips, but incur a commission of 6 USD (equivalent) per lot for round trip trading

Whether you prioritize spreads or transaction fees depends on your trading style and preferences , so choose the account type that suits you best.

Additionally, you can open extra accounts, so if you want to change your account type, you can open an extra account

StarTrader's current bonus campaign

This section introduces the campaign bonuses currently available as of April 2025

150% deposit bonus + 50% bonus

  • First deposit after account creation
  • Deposit of 50 USD (equivalent) or more

If you meet the two conditions above, you will receive a bonus of 150% + 50% of your deposit amount (up to 500 USD)

Bonuses are automatically awarded, so no self-declaration is required

Welcome Bonus

This is a bonus of 50 USD (7,500 yen) awarded to new account holders who register an account and complete verification within 14 days

There are no particularly difficult conditions; you can receive this bonus simply by verifying your account, so be sure to complete the verification process within 14 days of opening your account

is updated regularly on this overseas forex latest bonus campaign ranking page

How to open a StarTrader account

This section explains the steps for opening a StarTrader account

① Access the official website

Go to the official StarTrader website and click "Open a Live Account" in the upper right corner

You can also access the official website here

② Enter your email address, password, etc

Enter your email address and click "Send Code"

A verification code will be sent to the email address you entered. Enter the verification code in the email verification code field and then enter a password of your choice

If you do not have a referrer, you do not need to enter anything

Check the boxes for "Individual/Business, I am not a US resident, STARTRADER is..." and click "Open Account" at the bottom

③ Enter your personal information

Enter your name, date of birth, phone number, etc., and click Next

The information you enter here must match the information on the documents you will submit later, so please enter it carefully to avoid any errors

④ Verify your ID

Some of the information you entered earlier will be duplicated, but please enter your personal information

⑤ Upload your identity verification documents

I will upload my identification documents

The following documents can be used for identity verification:

  1. Driver's license email address
  2. ID card
  3. Residence permit
  4. passport

⑥ Account activation complete

If there are no problems with your submitted documents, you will receive an email from StarTrader containing your account information

Your account information is required to log in to the trading tool, so please keep it safe

Your account activation is now complete

[Illustrated Guide] StarTrader Account Opening Procedure (New Registration) [Easy Account Creation with Latest Smartphone Images] (StarTrader)

StarTrader deposit and withdrawal methods

This section will explain StarTrader's deposit and withdrawal methods, fees, and more

Deposit methods, transaction fees, and estimated processing time

You can scroll horizontally
Payment MethodsTransaction feesReflection guideline
Domestic bank transferFree (though charges may apply on the bank's side)Several tens of minutes~
Credit card/Debit cardfreeImmediately
STICPAYfreeImmediately
PerfectMoneyfreeImmediately

Withdrawal methods, transaction fees, and estimated processing time

You can scroll horizontally
Withdrawal methodsTransaction feesReflection guideline
Domestic bank transferFree (though charges may apply on the bank's side)3-5 business days
Credit card/Debit cardfreeImmediately
STICPAYfreeImmediately
PerfectMoneyfreeImmediately

While StarTrader offers other deposit and withdrawal methods besides those listed above, these four are the most common

Generally, there are no fees for deposits or withdrawals, but please note that the bank will almost always charge a fee of around 2,000 yen

Also, please note that, as with other overseas forex brokers, StarTrader requires withdrawals to be made using the same method as the deposit

Frequently Asked Questions about StarTrader

Here are some frequently asked questions about StarTrader

Q. I heard StarTrader is dangerous?

A. It is not dangerous

StarTrader is sometimes considered dangerous because it has received a warning from Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA), but all overseas forex brokers providing services to Japan have received similar warnings from the FSA

Q. Is using StarTrader illegal?

A. It is not illegal

Some people are mistaken because the Japanese Financial Services Agency issued a warning, but the warning was issued because the company was soliciting business from Japanese citizens residing in Japan, not for operating a service

Of course, using it is not illegal

The Illegality of Overseas Forex Trading: A Thorough Explanation of Financial Services Agency Warnings, Legal Perspectives, and How to Consult about Problems

Q. Why has StarTrader received a warning from the Financial Services Agency?

A. Because the advertising was targeted at Japanese users residing in Japan

However, other major overseas forex brokers have also received similar warnings, so this is not unique to StarTrader

Q. Shouldn't StarTrader also get approved by the Financial Services Agency?

A. In order to obtain approval from the Financial Services Agency, we would have to comply with Japanese law, such as lowering the leverage ratio and eliminating the zero-cut system, which would eliminate the advantages of StarTrader, so we cannot obtain approval

Q. Can I contact StarTrader in Japanese?

A. Yes

StarTrader offers support in Japanese

You can contact us via chat or email

Q. What is the maximum leverage for StarTrader?

A. Up to 1,000 times

Overseas Forex Leverage Comparison! Recommended Brokers with Leverages from 1000x to Unlimited, and a Summary of Regulatory Rules Including Calculations and Limitations!

Q. Can I change my account type midway through using StarTrader?

A. No

With StarTrader, you cannot change your account type midway through, so you will need to open an additional account

Q. What are some examples of withdrawal refusals on StarTrader?

A. The reason for the withdrawal refusal is unclear, but several posts were found on social media stating that withdrawals had been denied

We have a detailed explanation of cases where withdrawals have been refused here

Q. Is hedging prohibited on StarTrader?

A. Hedging is only possible within the same account

Hedging using additional accounts is prohibited

Is hedging a surefire way to win in overseas forex trading? A thorough explanation of the mechanism, prohibited practices, and more!

Q. Will I be required to make a margin call on StarTrader?

A. No

StarTrader employs a zero-cut system for all account types, so margin calls will never occur

Even if your account balance goes into the negative, it will automatically reset to zero

Are there no margin calls in overseas forex trading? An explanation of the disadvantages and mechanisms of the zero-cut system

Q. Are there leverage restrictions in StarTrader?

A. No

StarTrader does not have any rules regarding leverage restrictions

Q. Are StarTrader's trading terms and conditions strict?

A.StarTrader offers an excellent trading environment, but in return, it has some trading terms and conditions

While this rule isn't exclusive to StarTrader, some traders seem to find it strict

You can find a detailed explanation of prohibited transactions here

summary

This article discussed StarTrader's reputation, user reviews, security, and examples of withdrawal refusals

StarTrader is a promising new overseas forex broker that focuses on improving its trading environment and offering generous promotional bonuses

Instead, there are prohibited actions in the trading process, and violations may result in penalties such as suspension of withdrawals or freezing of accounts

Prohibited transactions include highly speculative trades such as high-leverage trading in markets with extremely low liquidity or trading only during the release of important economic indicators

Our funds are managed in separate accounts, and we hold three financial licenses

There have been multiple posts on social media regarding cases of withdrawal refusal. While the specific reasons for the refusal were not mentioned, some posts mentioned that "high-risk transactions were detected," suggesting that the user may have engaged in transactions that violated the trading terms and conditions

While it is possible to contact them in Japanese, responses are slow, and parts of their official website are not yet translated into Japanese. I hope they will improve this in the future

this overseas forex broker is recommended for all traders , from beginners to advanced traders, because it offers generous deposit bonuses and places a strong emphasis on the trading environment

However, the terms and conditions are in English, so traders who do not understand English will need to use translation software to translate them. Please be aware of this

Top Recommended Overseas FX Brokers Ranking | Thoroughly Introducing the Best Trading Environments by Category

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