Connect with us

Media OutReach

Trust issues: Octa’s survey about brokers’ red flags

Published

1 year ago

on

Many factors come into play when choosing a reliable broker to start your trading journey. For someone with limited experience in the markets, this choice can be very confusing, and the priorities are hard to define. However, traders have their own trove of practical knowledge, and tapping into it can shed light on brokers’ red flags. As part of its global research, global broker Octa surveyed hundreds of Malaysian CFD traders to determine what warning signs make them avoid financial brokers.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Neswire – 21 March 2025 – Advertisements always show only one side of the coin, regardless of what is advertised. The drawbacks, on the other hand, often become known the hard way in practice. Everyone has had negative experiences with certain products or services and will never choose them again.

This is especially true of e-brokerage services, where the entire trader’s journey depends on the broker and the trading platform. Any misstep on the part of the broker can be detrimental not only to the client’s experience but also to their funds. So, what are the most common red flags in brokers, according to Malaysian traders?

The signs of unreliability
When asked what signs are most indicative of a broker’s unreliability, survey participants named the following red flags:

  • chart manipulations (54%)
  • slow deposit or withdrawal transactions (51%)
  • price slippage and non-execution of orders without any visible underlying market reason (36%)
  • the broker’s quotes significantly differ from the quotes of other brokers (34%).

These results show that a predictable and fair trading environment is a crucial factor determining Malaysian traders’ willingness to engage with a certain broker. As things stand, the broker is responsible for providing complete transparency and adequate proof of value to its clients.

As a trusted and highly experienced broker, Octa works with independent, third-party liquidity providers to offer non-distorted market prices to its clients. In turn, liquidity providers aggregate prices using data from multiple sources, including banks and large financial institutions. As a result, chart prices are beyond the broker’s control.

Octa also provides access to historical chart data so that traders can verify that the broker’s prices align with actual market conditions and that there were no chart manipulations or price slippages at any given time.

Fair commissions and fast withdrawals are top priorities
When asked what broker’s flaw is the major deal-breaker, Malaysian traders highlighted three main factors:

  • high spreads and disadvantageous trading commissions (36%)
  • slow deposits or withdrawals (25%)
  • non-transparent commission model for deposits and withdrawals (18%).

It is safe to say that withdrawal-related issues come to the fore for Malaysian traders when considering brokers’ red flags. This is further substantiated by the fact that 47% of survey participants said they would stop working with a broker in case of unjustified delays in or blocking of withdrawal transactions.

Another 23% of respondents indicated they would immediately take their trading elsewhere if their broker charged higher withdrawal commissions than previously indicated.

At the end of the day, the only way to make sure your broker is trustworthy is by trying it out yourself. For example, Octa addresses this concern by offering a highly efficient and fast withdrawal procedure that helps traders establish a long and trusting relationship with the broker and focus on trading instead of background factors.

Whom to trust?
The difficulties in choosing a reliable source of insights and updates are a well-known issue in the trading community. The spreading of misinformation and the proliferation of online experts with questionable credentials can cause a lot of confusion, especially among less experienced traders.

When asked what signs indicate that a source of information can be fraudulent, 52% of respondents highlighted aggressive advertising. The most popular answers also include:

  • promotion of scam investment projects (37%)
  • trading signals manipulations (37%)
  • lack of online reviews (31%)
  • unconvincing member success stories (31%).

This distribution of answers in Octa’s survey reflects a high demand for security measures on the part of the broker. Malaysian traders’ stance calls for thorough and efficient know-your-customer procedures that help brokers safeguard their clients from fraud and scams. Aggressive, self-imposing tactics in broker’s advertising also come across as a major red flag.

Safety remains in the limelight
As the previous question shows, various kinds of fraud are significant issues for many Malaysian traders. What’s more, when asked about fraud in trading education and mentoring, 23% of respondents professed to know traders who were scammed by fake educators, coaches, and mentors. What’s more, 16% have paid for false trading signals, and 14% have paid for a useless trading course.

These results reflect a justifiably high dependency on efficient security measures and tools on the part of a broker. The modern cyber threat landscape is very complex, and keeping track of the best international practices is a must for any client-oriented broker. It is only natural that global brokers have a competitive edge in that respect. Their extensive reach allows them to absorb and integrate the most advanced security practices and tools from various regions, offering their clients the most efficient solutions.

Octa

Conclusion
According to Octa’s survey, Malaysian CFD traders tend to view the ease and speed of withdrawals as a direct indicator of a broker’s trustworthiness and reliability. A fast, hassle-free withdrawal process allows traders to feel more in control of their financial decisions, ensuring they can access their profits or capital when needed.

The research also established that Malaysian traders prefer to work with brokers that provide a sense of security and transparency. They look for fair and consistent processes and want to avoid hidden fees or complex withdrawal conditions. If these requirements are met, brokers will have a much higher chance of establishing long-term relationships with clients based on mutual respect and clarity.

Disclaimer: Trading involves risks and may not be suitable for all investors. Use your expertise wisely and evaluate all associated risks before making an investment decision.

Hashtag: #octa

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Octa

is an international CFD broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services used by clients from 180 countries who have opened more than 52 million trading accounts. To help its clients reach their investment goals, Octa offers free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools.The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including the improvement of educational infrastructure and short-notice relief projects supporting local communities.In Southeast Asia, Octa received the ‘Best Trading Platform Malaysia 2024’ and the ‘Most Reliable Broker Asia 2023’ awards from Brands and Business Magazine and International Global Forex Awards, respectively.

Related Topics:

Media OutReach

Hong Kong Company Formations Surge 40.5% in 2025, Outpacing Regional Competitors

Published

13 hours ago

on

15/05/2026

By

Air Corporate data reveals 9 in 10 founders incorporated in Hong Kong do so remotely, driven by a 20% surge in Middle Eastern entrepreneurs seeking cost-effective operational alternatives to Dubai.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 May 2026 – Air Corporate registered a 40.5% increase in Hong Kong incorporations in 2025, with the first quarter of 2026 already up 48% year-over-year. This data indicates that Hong Kong is reasserting itself as the leading Asian jurisdiction for company formation, fueled by a new wave of remote founders from the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe.

The prevailing narrative over the past five years suggested that Singapore was eclipsing Hong Kong; however, recent incorporation volumes challenge this. According to city-wide official figures cited by Vivian, Founder of Air Corporate, approximately 195,000 companies were registered in Hong Kong in 2025, compared to around 77,000 in Singapore.

“There was a lot of fuss about Singapore taking over Hong Kong as preferred jurisdiction over the last few years, but for 2025 alone, around 195,000 companies were formed in HK, vs around 77,000 for Singapore,” said Vivian. While city-wide registrations rose roughly 35% in 2025, incorporations at Air Corporate specifically grew by 40.5%. Vivian added, “With a 35% increase in the number of companies registered in 2025, Hong Kong is definitely back in the game as the top jurisdiction to start a company.”

The reality of Hong Kong company formation is increasingly global, lean, and founder-led. Nine in ten founders incorporated in Hong Kong with Air Corporate do not live there.

Key demographic and operational insights from Air Corporate’s client base include:

  • Approximately 90% of founders operate remotely from abroad, while 10% or less are based in Hong Kong.
  • Entrepreneurs aged 35 to 44 represent the largest age cohort at 38%, demonstrating that Hong Kong attracts founders in their prime career years rather than just younger digital nomads.
  • Serial entrepreneurs make up 60% of Air Corporate’s client mix, utilizing Hong Kong as an operational base for multiple companies, while first-time founders account for the remaining 40%.
  • A total of 89% of new companies are launched by solo founders (58%) or small teams of two to five individuals (31%).
  • Mainland China, Hong Kong, Turkey, India, the UAE, Australia, France, and Morocco rank among the top source markets for these founders.

Furthermore, 73% of new Hong Kong incorporations are directly tied to physical goods trade with China. This consists of e-commerce and dropshipping businesses (38%) and the trading of goods (35%). The recovery of in-person trade flows, including events, such as the Canton Fair and various industrial fairs, is pulling foreign founders back into the Greater China orbit and establishing Hong Kong as the natural entry point and financial layer over the world’s largest manufacturing base.

Air Corporate’s data recorded a 20% year-over-year growth in founders originating from the Middle East. This shift highlights a reverse migration where founders previously incorporated in Dubai are now choosing Hong Kong. Based on Vivian’s observations, founders often arrive in Dubai expecting fast incorporation and low costs, but discover that incorporation and maintenance are significantly more expensive than in Hong Kong, and banking remains difficult. Consequently, many founders move to Hong Kong after 12 to 24 months in the UAE, a trend accelerated by the Hong Kong government’s strategic outreach to the region.

For lean, remote-first businesses, speed-to-market is a critical factor. A founder located anywhere in the world can incorporate in Hong Kong and open a working bank account in approximately 7 days using digital banking partners. Currently, 90% of Air Corporate’s clients utilize these digital banking partners.

“Hong Kong and Singapore are the only places in Asia where you can set up your company, get a corporate account, and be in business in less than a week,” concluded Vivian.

Air Corporate is a service provider facilitating company formation and incorporation in Hong Kong for serial entrepreneurs, first-time founders, and remote-first business owners operating globally.

Media Inquiries
To learn more about Hong Kong company formation, visit Air Corporate’s website or contact their team directly.

Hashtag: #AirCorporate

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Continue Reading

Media OutReach

Natural Diamonds Sparkle on The Red Carpet at The 2026 Met Gala Celebrating “Costume Art”

Published

13 hours ago

on

15/05/2026

By

Today’s biggest stars express individuality and confidence with natural diamonds

NEW YORK, US – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 May 2026 – The 2026 Met Gala celebrating “Costume Art” took place May 4th at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, bringing together leading figures from across the globe for an unforgettable evening. These tastemakers showcased the most classic, refined and distinctive diamond jewelry looks of the season. Below, A Diamond is Forever highlights the standout trends from the event.

Desert diamonds

Desert diamonds emerged as a striking throughline on the Met Gala carpet, with a range of hues in distinctive settings taking focus.

Rihanna led the trend in a pair of exceptionally rare old Moghul Golconda fancy brown-yellow diamond earrings by Glenn Spiro, featuring two pear-shaped natural diamonds totaling 51.9 carats. Doja Cat offset her all nude look with a pair of large Leviev Diamonds floral-shaped earrings while Paloma Elsesser made a statement in a 29.5-carat diamond necklace by Bernard James, centered around a 15-carat fancy light yellow pear-shaped natural diamond. Cara Delevingne wore a De Beers London Forces of Nature High Jewelry ring, featuring marquise yellow diamonds set as eyes, while Emma Chamberlain opted for yellow and white diamond earrings by Chopard, underscoring the continued allure of warm diamond hues.

Magnificent Diamond Earrings

A wide variety of captivating silhouettes defined the natural diamond earrings on the Met Gala carpet. Zoë Kravitz delivered a modern twist with oversized diamond flower earrings by Jessica McCormack. Chase Sui Wonders opted for Jean Schlumberger by Tiffany & Co. Sea Fan earrings, bringing an element of sculptural artistry to the look. Gracie Abrams selected gently dangling Chanel earrings, adding understated fluidity, while Connor Storrie selected simple hoop earrings from Tiffany & Co., reinforcing the clean and enduring appeal of natural diamonds.

Standout Diamond Moments

Natural diamonds appeared in personal, unconventional and eye-catching ways, offering moments of surprise and awe. Power couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z embodied this trend with Beyoncé wearing Chopard’s Queen of Kalahari necklace, named after the rare 342-carat diamond that provided 23 stones for Chopard’s Garden of Kalahari collection. Jay-Z contributed to the narrative with a vintage diamond brooch by Briony Raymond worn at the collar as an unexpected placement that underscored the piece’s versatility. Isha Ambani made the styling of diamonds an art form in itself, wearing her own diamond jewelry featuring approximately 150 carats of old mine-cut diamonds, including a three-strand necklace and chandelier earrings, while also incorporating diamonds sewn directly into the bodice of her sari to represent significant moments in her life.

Together, these looks highlighted a shift toward natural diamonds as vessels of personal expression, styled with intention, individuality, and a sense of the unexpected.

Hashtag: #MetGala #RedCarpet #ADiamondisForever #NaturalDiamonds #Diamonds





The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Continue Reading

Media OutReach

Turn Your Savings into a Front-Row Experience: HL Bank Singapore Offers Exclusive Passes to AsiaTop Music Festival 2026

Published

1 day ago

on

14/05/2026

By

The premier music festival will play host to 16 K-pop, regional and Malaysian stars including, in performance order: Day 1 – NexT1DE, Aina Abdul, Belle Sisoski, Win Metawin, NMIXX, WINNER, DAESUNG, KUN. Day 2 – Uriah See, Firdhaus, Butterbear, 82MAJOR, STAYC, CRAVITY, TWS, CxM

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 May 2026 – Your next major K-pop experience is just a savings goal away as HL Bank Singapore (“HLB Singapore”) bridges the gap between financial wellness and the front row. In an exclusive collaboration designed for the ultimate music enthusiast, the bank is offering fans the chance to secure a pair of sought-after AsiaTop Music Festival 2026 tickets, valued at up to RM1,098 (approx. S$355), simply by growing their wealth.

HL Bank Singapore is giving music fans the chance to redeem exclusive passes to the AsiaTop Music Festival 2026, featuring top Asian acts, through its iSavings Reward Campaign.

This unique initiative stems from the regional synergy between Hong Leong Bank (“HLB”) and Tencent Music Entertainment Group (JOOX and QQ Music). By aligning with Visit Malaysia Year and Visit Selangor Year 2026, HLB is transforming the traditional banking experience into a gateway for premium entertainment. Scheduled for 30 and 31 May 2026 at the iconic Sepang International Circuit, the festival promises a high-octane weekend featuring an elite lineup of Asian superstars, including the largest K-pop showcase in the ASEAN region.

Securing a spot at the heart of the action has been streamlined through the iSavings Reward Campaign, running from 9 May 2026 to 18 May 2026. To participate, fans first decide on their preferred festival experience, selecting either a pair of Standard Passes with a S$5,000 deposit or the high-energy, nearer-to-the-stars Rockzone Passes with a S$8,282 deposit for their chosen day.

Once a tier is selected, customers can register by depositing the qualifying funds into an iSavings account via FAST or Links transfer. To validate their entry, customers must include the specific Comment Code, such as PALLIR1 for Day 1 Rockzone, within the funds transfer description. The qualifying balance must be maintained within the account for a six-month (182 days) earmarked period.

With only 88 pairs of tickets available for this exclusive campaign, the stakes are high. Allocation is limited to 22 pairs per day for each ticket category and will be awarded strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans are encouraged to act quickly to ensure their savings work as hard as they do while securing a premier seat at the musical event of the year.

For full terms & conditions, and further details, please visit: www.hlbank.com.sg/AsiaTop2026

Hashtag: #HLBankSingapore

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

HL Bank Singapore

HL Bank Singapore is the Singapore branch of Hong Leong Bank Berhad, a leading digital-centric Malaysia-based financial services institution with a rooted heritage in the country spanning over 120 years. Operating under a Full Bank Licence in Singapore, HL Bank offers a comprehensive range of financial services to our business, retail and high networth customers through our 4 core business segments – Business & Corporate Banking, Personal Financial Services, Private Wealth Management and Global Markets.

Continue Reading

Trending