DLSM Review 2025

Trust

DLSM Regulations

In our reviews, we examine the licenses and regulations of each entity operated by a broker, allowing us to compare their different levels of protection. We rank licenses by various regulatory bodies on a three-tier system, where Tier-1 licensing indicates the highest level of regulation.

This is what I discovered about the two entities operating under the DLSM trade name:

• DLS Markets Limited is licensed and regulated by the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) under license number 700455. We rate the VFSC as a Tier-3 regulator.
• DLS Markets (Aust) Pty Ltd is licensed and regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) under license number 296805. We rate ASIC as a Tier-1 regulator. The entity does not currently onboard any clients.

Understanding the Regulatory Protections of Your Account

Brokers operate multiple entities globally, but regulatory protections vary. Some regulators enforce stricter financial standards than others, so traders should understand the safety measures of the entity they choose to open an account with.

Here is what you need to be looking for in a broker in terms of safety mechanisms:

• Segregation of Client Funds: Keeping client funds in segregated bank accounts from the ones used for the broker’s corporate capital negates the risk of accounting errors. Client funds are kept in segregated accounts from the company’s corporate capital with DLSM.
• Negative Balance Protection: This safety mechanism removes the risk of trading losses exceeding the account balance for retail clients. In other words, the losses you incur from trading are capped at the amount you have put in your trading account. The broker does not guarantee negative balance protection.
• Compensation Scheme: A compensation scheme protects traders against the broker’s liabilities if the company becomes insolvent. DLSM is a member of the Financial Commission resolution scheme, and its clients are protected by up to EUR 20,000.
• Maximum Leverage: Capping the maximum leverage restricts the extent of market exposure to retail traders. The higher the leverage, the higher the potential profits and potential losses. The maximum retail leverage with DLSM is 1:1000.

Stability and Transparency

In our Trust category assessments, we evaluate factors tied to stability and transparency, including the broker’s longevity, company size, and information transparency.

DLSM is a relatively new broker, founded in 2020, and has yet to establish itself as a trustworthy partner. Its company size appears small, with only 6 associated members on its LinkedIn page. Beyond that, I appreciated that DLSM publishes a live spread feed on the website so that visitors can quickly asses its fee transparency and competitiveness.

I also checked its legal documents, including the client agreement, and assessed that everything was in order. All important information is readily available and easy to discern.

Is DLSM Safe to Trade With?

I determined that DLSM is reasonably safe to trade with due to the following factors:

• Is licensed by two regulators
• Participates in The Financial Commission
• Keeps client funds in segregated accounts

Fees

DLSM Trading Fees

DLSM Spreads

I tested DLSM’s spreads on 3 March 2025 during the London and New York opens. The results are shown in the table below:

My tests reveal that broken down by asset class and compared to the industry average, DLSM charges low spreads on share CFDs, average spreads on forex, commodity, and crypto, and mixed indices spreads.

DLSM Swaps

A swap fee is a trader’s cost for holding an open position overnight because of changing interest rates. Swap long refers to the charge deductible or credit receivable for holding a buy position open overnight. In turn, swap short relates to the charges/credits deductible or receivable for holding a selling position open overnight.

The values listed below are for one full base currency contract (100,000 units).

I concluded that DLSM’s swaps are generally average for the industry benchmark. Overnight charges tend to change over time.

DLSM Non-Trading Fees

I learned that DLSM does not impose a handling fee for deposits or withdrawals, though third-party processing fees may apply.

The broker charges dormant accounts a $30 inactivity fee after 6 months of dormancy. The fee is charged monthly until activity resumes or the account balance drops to zero.

Are DLSM’s Fees Competitive?

DLSM keeps its standard fees in line with the industry average, while its ECN pricing stands out as a major plus. On top of that, there are no non-trading fees—at least from what I could confirm. However, the inactivity fee remains a bit of a mystery.

Platforms and Tools

DLSM MT5 Desktop

I tested the desktop version of the MetaTrader 5 platform, which offers several essential tools, including one-click trading, an alarm setting option, and a market depth tool. These features enable traders to analyze market developments from multiple perspectives and take advantage of trading opportunities in various ways.

In my opinion, MT5 is best suited for automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs). The platform also has an intuitive strategy tester, allowing experienced algo traders to tweak the parameters of their strategies so that they can be used under different market conditions.

MT5 Features

DLSM’s MT5 platform is available on Windows and Mac and supports 52 languages, including English, French, Spanish, German, Arabic, Chinese, and more.

MT5 features include:

• Alerts-Setting Option: Traders can set alerts for when the price of a given instrument falls/rises to a predetermined level, which could potentially signal a viable entry opportunity.
• Watchlist Customization: Traders can populate watchlists with their favorite instruments and track market changes more easily.
• One-click Trading: This feature enables instant market entries at the spot price and is invaluable for high-precision traders, such as scalpers.
• Trading from the Chart: Traders can place conventional trading orders directly from the chart, specifying the entry price, volume level, stop and take-profit levels, and more.

Charts

A common issue with MetaTrader is that charts can quickly become cluttered, even with just two indicators. This can obscure price action examination and make it harder to perform detailed technical analysis.

I have broken down the available analytical tools and chart configurations below:

• 38 technical indicators: This includes trend-based and volume-based indicators and oscillators to analyze price action and assess market sentiment, helping predict market movements.
• 24 drawing tools: Tools like Fibonacci retracement levels and Elliott waves help identify price patterns, support/resistance levels, and breakout points. However, MT5’s design can make price action harder to interpret.
• 21 timeframes: For multi-timeframe analysis, enabling detailed price action analysis.
• 3 chart types: Price action can be displayed as line, bars, or candlesticks, offering diverse perspectives on trading opportunities.

The chart screen is undeniably one of the most crucial features of a trading platform. It equips traders with essential tools and configurations to analyze price action and spot trading opportunities. Just as important is the ability to easily scale price action, allowing for a clearer and more detailed view of market movements.

Orders

MetaTrader 5 features three types of order execution: market, pending, and one-click trading, which allows for immediate entries at the spot price.

I have broken down the available order types on the MetaTrader 5 platform below:

• Market Orders: Used for immediate entry at the best available price. They guarantee volume filling, though the entry price may differ from the requested price.
• Limit Orders: Guarantee exact price entries but won’t be filled if the price doesn’t reach the trigger level.
• Stop Orders: They are used to support open positions by limiting the maximum loss that can be incurred if the market turns in the opposite direction. A stop-loss order is placed at a fixed price below or above the spot price. If the market does indeed turn and triggers the stop-loss, it will transform into a market order and get filled at the best possible price.

MT5 Desktop: My Key Takeaways

MetaTrader 5 is a good option for fast and simple order execution. However, its dated and rugged design is inferior to newer and sleeker platforms. As a trader who prioritizes flexible charts that are easily scalable, I find MT5’s charting capability too rigid and less effective.

DLSM MT5 Mobile

The MT5 mobile app is available on iOS and Android, enabling quick and easy access to the market on the go. It is very useful for opening, terminating, and adjusting open positions.

You can also use the app to place market, limit, and stop orders, as well as to adjust the exposure of your open trades.

MT5 App: My Key Takeaways

The MetaTrader app stands out for its convenience, making it an essential tool for adjusting trades, especially during periods of heightened volatility. However, I consider it cumbersome and not the best choice for analyzing price action.

DLSM GO App

I also tested DLSM’s mobile app and found it more versatile and feature-rich than MT5. It’s a one-stop shop for account management, price analysis, order execution, and basic market research. The charting tools are a step up from what MetaTrader offers, making it a solid choice for traders who want more control on the go.

DLSM Execution Model

DLSM operates as a market maker whereby the broker serves as principal (counterparty) to client orders. DLSM fills client orders (creates liquidity) by selling against buyers and buying against sellers.

Tradable Instruments

My analysis showed that DLSM stands out with a strong selection of cryptocurrencies and indices, offering more options than many competitors. Its currency pair offering is about average, while its commodities and share CFDs selection lags behind the industry standard.

What Are CFDs?

Contracts for Difference (CFDs) are financial derivative instruments that allow traders to speculate on the price movements of an asset without owning the asset itself.

For instance, taking a long position in gold would result in a profit for the trader if the price goes up or, respectively, a loss if the price goes down. The opposite would be true for a short position in gold.

A key advantage of trading CFDs is the ability to enter and exit the market almost instantly, enabling traders to capitalize on even minor price fluctuations in the derivative.

What CFDs Can You Trade With DLSM?

DLSM Instruments: My Key Takeaways

DLSM offers a decent range of tradable instruments, sufficient for casual trading. However, its overall asset diversity is limited compared to competitors. For example, DLSM’s stock CFD selection focuses exclusively on U.S. companies, which may limit opportunities for international traders seeking exposure to other markets.

Customer Support

Customer Support Channels

Customer Support Test

When we test a broker’s customer support, we evaluate the agent’s knowledge of their own website, how long it takes them to respond to questions, and how detailed their answers are.

I performed my testing on 4 March at around 11:52 am CET via live chat. Before connecting to an agent, I had to select my preferred language and provide my name and email. An agent then connected almost simultaneously to the chat and responded to my questions with varying success.

When I inquired about DLSM’s execution model, the agent responded that such information is confidential. However, this is not the case since the client agreement clearly states that the broker operates as principal on client orders.

Deposit and Withdrawal

DLSM Deposits

DLSM Withdrawals

Account Types and Terms

DLSM Account Opening Process

To create an account with DLSM, follow these simple steps:

1. Click ‘Register Now’ from the main page.
2. Fill in your name and country of residence.
3. Provide your number and email address.
4. Enter a client password.
5. Enter your DOB and residential address.
6. Choose a trading platform and account type.
7. Select your trading leverage.
8. Choose a trading password.
9. Upload proof of ID and proof of address.

DLSM Account Types

*Round-turn per one full contract

My in-depth testing showed that DLSM’s ECN account offers better trading conditions than its Standard account, even though both require the same minimum deposit. I also found the 80% margin call and 40% stop-out levels to be a useful safeguard, helping to reduce (but not eliminate) the risk of a negative balance.

However, it’s important to note that DLSM does not provide guaranteed negative balance protection, so traders should manage risk accordingly.

Demo Accounts

DLSM offers a demo account that introduces traders to the broker’s services and allows them to tweak their strategies in a risk-free environment. The market is continually evolving and never static, so it is important to hone your skills in a safe environment. You can set up a demo account for yourself before or alongside your live CFD account.

Islamic Accounts

DLSM offers Islamic accounts for swap-free trading under Shariah law. Regular Forex accounts can be converted to Islamic accounts. For further assistance, please contact DLSM’s customer support.

What is CFD Leverage?

Leverage determines a trader’s overall market exposure. When trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs), positions can be opened for a fraction of their value because of leverage. Essentially, the broker lends the trader money so that they can open bigger positions. Leverage multiplies the profits a trader generates from winning positions but also the losses incurred from failed trades.

Maximum Leverage By Asset Class

In the table below, I have listed the maximum retail leverage available with DLSM for instruments from different asset classes:

DLSM Restricted Countries

DLSM does not accept as clients residents of certain jurisdictions, such as Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Iran, and North Korea, or any other jurisdiction where trading with leveraged products is prohibited by law.

Research

Research Tools

I have listed the most important research content with DLSM below:

• Economic Calendar: A staple of market research, the economic calendar informs traders of upcoming financial and economic releases that could potentially create viable trading opportunities.
• Market Buzz: Part of Trading Central’s toolkit, Market Buzz acts as a sentiment gauge, showing which assets are trending based on trader discussions and mentions. This helps traders stay ahead of shifting market dynamics.
• Featured Trading Ideas & Breakdowns: Powered by Trading Central, these insights offer real-time trading opportunities along with detailed analysis. Traders can learn why the market is moving, where it’s likely headed next, and how to strategically enter and exit trades with suggested entry points, stop-loss levels, and take-profit targets.

DLSM Research: My Key Takeaways

The Trading Central package includes highly practical research tools for technical day traders. The research content is diverse and easy to grasp, helping users make informed trading decisions. My only gripe with DLSM is that it does not develop any market research in-house.

Education

DLSM’s blog features 63 articles covering a range of trading topics, including platform tutorials and strategy guides. While the content is somewhat insightful, it remains the only educational resource available. Without additional learning materials, I think beginners may struggle to build a well-rounded understanding of trading and will likely need to seek external resources to fill the gaps.

The Bottom Line

Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Vanuatu, DLSM is a rising player in the financial derivatives space that operates globally and offers 120+ tradable instruments.

DLSM runs on MT4 and MT5, fully supports copy and algorithmic trading, and integrates market research from Trading Central. When it comes to costs, its fees are fair, even beating the industry average in some cases. I found its ECN account particularly competitive, making it a solid choice for traders looking for low-cost execution.

However, DLSM’s range of tradable assets is quite narrow, and its educational content lacks depth.

While DLSM is still establishing its reputation, I rate it as a decent option for casual traders and those interested in copy trading. There’s potential here, but it has yet to prove itself as a top-tier broker.

FAQ