A review of XS CFD Broker examines how regulated trading platforms support users from beginner to advanced levels through evolving account features.

Every person’s trading journey is different, which is why using the right tools and platforms can better personalize an experience so users can trade according to their experience and goals. Someone may think they need a separate platform from professionals if they’re a beginner, but as technology has improved and brokers have evolved, users can use one platform to start trading and then evolve as an individual towards an expert level.

Research is important in this matter because a platform should be regulated so it’s safe, as well as packed with account options and various features that support trading. Thus, this article will review a popular platform, XS CFD broker, to determine if its features can adapt to users’ trading needs, starting from the regulations for the group licenses to the account types and available markets, so they can have the basic information to form an opinion. 

Luckily, it’s possible to create a demo account on XS to experiment with it, which is considerably helpful to see if the right broker has been found.

Pros of XS.com:

• Funds are covered by insurance
• Access to advanced trading options
• Benefit from premium trading conditions
• Account can be funded or withdrawn fast and easy
• Customer support comes in a series of languages
• Account is secured by the regulations

Cons of XS.com:

• There are maximum deposits and withdrawal amounts depending on the intermediary;
• Customer support is only available 24/5 and not 24/7;

What is XS.com, and is it safe?

XS.com is a multi-asset trader since 2010 when it was established in Australia, but has since evolved to a global market leader in the FinTech industry. As an online broker, XS follows the mission of helping worldwide traders expand their horizon by offering advanced trading platforms and access to markets and asset classes so they can approach a Smart Money Concept (SMC) for efficient trading.

Users can leverage the benefits of XS as a broker on several channels, from the mobile app XS Trading App to the other platforms MT4 and MT5 available on desktop, Windows/Apple, or the Play Store/App Store. These options offer accessibility in managing a portfolio and monitoring trades.

Is XS.com safe?

As a trader in a market that has volatile asset classes, the first priority should be the safety of trades, and despite the fact that features like the order block help traders better manage the market, they need more protection. XS Forex broker helps with that by making sure every one of its customers is secured by the Civil Liability Insurance Program under Lloyd’s of London. Basically, when a new account is opened here, it is automatically protected, and the program will cover losses for cases like omission or fraud at no cost to the customer.

Insurance coverage starts from $10,000 and can go as much as $5,000,000, and the compensation is the result of the XS transparent security and commitment to protect users. The insurance is also a step towards complying with leading industry standards, but the company also holds assets as clients in segregated accounts from the XS ones and follows the security standards of advanced protocols.

What regulations does XS.com follow?

Since XS expanded across the globe, its group licenses had to follow strict regulations for each jurisdiction so it could be a safe and reputable broker:

• XS Ltd is regulated by the Financial Services Authority of Seychelles (FSA) in Seychelles;
• XS Prime Ltd is coordinated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) in Australia;
• XS Markets Ltd is licensed by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC);
• XS Finance Ltd is certified by the Financial Services Authority of Labuan (LFSA) in Malaysia;
• XS ZA (Pty) Ltd is authorized by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa;
• XS Trade Services Ltd is accredited by the Financial Services Commission of Mauritius (FSC);
• XSTrade Financial Consultation L.L.C is regulated by the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) in Dubai;
• XS Online is authorized by the legislation in the State of Kuwait;
• XS (LC) LTD is recognized under the laws of Saint Lucia;
• XS Ltd is operating according to the laws in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines;

What types of accounts can be created at XS.com?

Traders can benefit from a personalized experience when opening a new account at XS.com, besides the demo account, which is available for anyone who wants to try out its functions. Beginners can check out the Preferred suite that includes three different account types, like the Standard account with 1.1 average spread and no commissions. The Cent account offers cent lots without commissions, but only for currencies and metals, while the Micro account has micro lots for more instruments at a 1.1 spread.

When the next level is reached, traders can open an account from the Professional suite, such as the Pro account that starts at a $500 minimum deposit for a 0.7 spread. The Elite account offers a 0.1 spread with commission per round turn, while the VIP account, which starts at a $100,000 minimum deposit, also has commissions for a 0.1 spread for instruments.

Finally, business Partners also have their category available with accounts like the Classic one with a 1.6 spread and no commissions, or the Extra account with a 2.1 spread for instruments. The Plus account is also available with a 0.1 spread and different commissions per round turn.

What platforms can be used on XS.com?

There are two main platforms that can be accessed for trading on XS.com, starting with MetaTrader 4, which is suitable for beginners. The benefits include an easy-to-navigate interface along with advanced charting tools and options like the Xhmaster Formula Indicator that offer insights on where the market is turning. Multiple order types can also be done on the platform, such as market limit and trailing stop orders. Or, work with MetaTrader 5 as an expert trader and take advantage of superior features such as built-in economic calendar, hedging capabilities, and premium trading conditions in order to elevate the experience.  

What are the asset classes available on XS.com?

At XS.com, traders can access a vast array of asset classes to diversify their portfolio, like international shares from the EU or US, or indices from reputable companies like Standard & Poor’s and the EURO STOXX 50. If trading commodities like metals, they can choose between precious (gold) and base (aluminum) contracts, or opt for Energy commodities from Brent Crude Oil or Natural Gas. Futures contracts offer all sorts of OTC assets like crude oil, indices, and gold.

Forex currency pairs of Minor, Major, and exotic categories also go great hand in hand with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, but remember, trading them is different, especially when taking into account the liquidity sweep factor that tends to be more intense in crypto than in Forex.

What do other users say about XS.com?

This review would be incomplete without checking out the online XS comments, which are necessary to show what clients like or dislike about the broker. For example, going on Reddit shows that many people trust the broker due to the many regulations it has achieved, reputable ones like ASIC, and prefer it to other brokers due to the insurance program. People have also stated that doing deposits and withdrawals is pretty fast and safe, which is a plus. However, some stated that making a withdrawal through a card takes time, so withdrawal delays have been one of the complaints online.

A customer can file an XS complaint in case of any issue, and the staff will get back to them as soon as possible through email. Usually, customers can also contact someone from customer support through online chat and only select the language they want to communicate in, as there are many available.

Conclusion: Is XS.com safe or not?

After checking what XS.com can offer to traders, it can be said that the platform appears to be a solid and safe broker and not a scam, especially since it has so many regulations across the globe. It offers insurance to cover potential losses, supports access to a vast array of assets, and allows personalizing a trading experience.

FAQ

1. What is the XS.com broker?

XS.com is an online broker that started operating in 2010 in Australia and became a global multi-asset broker.

2. Is XS.com safe?

XS.com is a safe broker because it follows strict regulations from reputable institutions like ASIC and CySEC.

3. What can someone trade with XS.com?

XS offers access to many asset classes from Forex and cryptocurrencies to stocks, commodities, and Energy contracts.

4. What platforms does XS have?

XS can be traded through MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, two reputable trading platforms in the industry.

Chainlink has extended its weekly decline after a sell-the-news reaction to Project Pangea, a multi-billion-dollar options expiry, and persistent weakness across the crypto market pushed LINK back toward a key long-term support zone.

According to crypto.news price data, Chainlink (LINK) fell from a June 22 high near $8 to an intraday low of around $7 on June 26 before stabilizing near $7.16 at press time.

LINK’s drop accelerated as traders locked in profits following the June 23 launch of Project Pangea, a global foreign-exchange infrastructure initiative developed alongside European and South Korean banking consortia representing more than $10 trillion in assets under management.

Although the initiative strengthened Chainlink’s long-term enterprise case, short-term sentiment deteriorated ahead of Friday’s estimated $11 billion crypto options expiry. The large derivatives event pushed many digital assets toward their max-pain levels, triggering liquidations across leveraged altcoin positions and adding fresh selling pressure to LINK.

Macro conditions also remained unfavorable. Bitcoin’s drop below the $60,000 level weighed on the broader altcoin market as investors continued reducing exposure to risk assets. Consecutive weeks of U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF outflows, expectations that the Federal Reserve could keep interest rates elevated for longer, and delays surrounding U.S. crypto legislation further reduced appetite for speculative assets. At the same time, institutional capital continued rotating into artificial intelligence-related equities instead of digital assets.

Derivatives positioning has offered little relief. Leveraged long liquidations accelerated as LINK lost successive support levels, while declining open interest and cautious positioning suggested traders have reduced directional exposure rather than attempting aggressive dip buying.

Weekly structure keeps long-term downside risk in focus

On the weekly chart, LINK remains in a prolonged downtrend after failing to reclaim resistance near $8. The latest decline has brought the token close to a multi-year support area around $5.50-$6.30, where buyers repeatedly entered the market during previous corrections.

Momentum indicators continue to favor sellers. The weekly RSI has dropped to around 34 and remains below its signal line without entering deeply oversold territory, leaving room for another leg lower. Meanwhile, the MACD remains below the zero line despite a modest narrowing of bearish momentum, showing that bulls have yet to regain control.

A decisive weekly close beneath the long-term support zone could expose the psychological $6 level, while a sustained recovery above $8 would be needed to weaken the current bearish structure.

Bearish channel and Supertrend cap any recovery attempts

The four-hour chart shows LINK trading inside a well-defined descending channel that has guided the price lower since June 22. Every rebound has stalled near the upper trendline, while the Supertrend indicator continues to print a sell signal with dynamic resistance around $7.70.

MACD on the four-hour timeframe remains below the zero line, although the histogram has flattened after the latest selloff, suggesting bearish momentum has slowed rather than reversed. Unless buyers reclaim the channel resistance and break above the Supertrend barrier, the path of least resistance remains lower.

Failure to defend the $7 region could send LINK toward the $6.30 support identified by Martinez, with the major psychological $6 level becoming the next downside target. On the upside, reclaiming $7.70 could allow the token to challenge the $8 resistance zone, where sellers regained control earlier this week.

Strategy’s (MSTR) perpetual preferred stock, STRC, is down 3% during Friday’s pre-market and is trading below $73 around 27% below its $100 par value, as investors focus on June 30, a date that brings two important events.

First, June 30 is the ex-dividend date. Investors who own shares before the ex-dividend date will receive the next payment, while buyers on or after June 30 will not. The date also serves as the record date, when Strategy shareholders qualify for the distribution. Eligible investors will receive STRC’s first semi-monthly dividend of $0.48 per share on July 15.

Normally, a stock declines by roughly the amount of its dividend when it begins trading ex-dividend. For STRC, a $0.48 adjustment on a $73 stock represents less than 0.7%, during a time when STRC is falling as much as 2-3% a day. So the ex-dividend date in theory should not be a huge catalyst for further downside in the STRC price.

The bigger catalyst is Strategy’s monthly dividend rate reset. STRC is a perpetual preferred stock, meaning it has no maturity date and pays a dividend that can be reset periodically.

As the first half of 2026 draws to a close, major cryptocurrencies are deeply in the red, lagging far behind traditional assets. Bitcoin BTC$59,412.26 bulls can at least take one small consolation: they’ve outperformed shares in bitcoin-holder Strategy (MSTR).

These diverging trends point to investor preference for assets linked to economic activity and geopolitical trends rather than narrative-led plays.

While bitcoin, the crypto market leader by market capitalization, is down 32% as June nears an end, ether has slumped 47% and Strategy 43%. The total crypto market cap has declined by roughly 30% to nearly $2 trillion, a level not seen since before President Donald Trump’s election victory in November 2024.

Most of the biggest coins are down, except a select few like HYPE, which has gained over 140%. HYPE’s strength is the result of increased volatility and the stellar performance of TradFi-linked assets available on its parent decentralized exchange, Hyperliquid.

US-listed spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) saw their largest daily net outflows of June on Thursday, withdrawing $696.3 million as Bitcoin slipped below $60,000. The selloff in ETF demand added to a broader cooling in institutional appetite for the asset during the month.

SoSoValue data shows the withdrawals pushed June’s cumulative net outflows to $3.61 billion, taking year-to-date net outflows to $4.6 billion. For investors tracking institutional flows, Thursday’s figures underscored how quickly sentiment can shift when price weakness triggers faster redemptions from ETF wrappers.

Key takeaways

• US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $696.3 million in net outflows on Thursday, the largest day of June.
• June outflows total $3.61 billion, with year-to-date net outflows at $4.6 billion, according to SoSoValue.
• ETF total net assets dropped to about $72.6 billion—down roughly 57% from a peak of $169.5 billion recorded in October 2025.
• WalletPilot data indicates US spot Bitcoin ETFs held 1.24 million BTC as of Tuesday, with about 63,500 BTC leaving over the past 30 days.
• Strategy’s Bitcoin buying slowed materially in June to about 3,600 BTC, intensifying debate about whether it should conserve cash during drawdowns.

Spot Bitcoin ETF outflows accelerate as price weakens

The timing of Thursday’s ETF outflows is notable: they came as Bitcoin moved through the $60,000 area, a level that has often acted as a psychological pivot for market participants. In that context, SoSoValue’s figures point to a stronger-than-usual willingness among ETF investors to exit positions during a short-term downswing.

SoSoValue reported that June’s outflows already surpassed a prior monthly high—$519.2 million logged on June 2—before extending even further on Thursday. With June net outflows now at $3.61 billion, the pattern suggests that redemptions are not just sporadic, but persistent enough to compound quickly.

That matters because spot ETFs are one of the most accessible channels for traditional capital. While other markets can absorb volatility, sustained ETF outflows typically remove a steady source of incremental demand. Traders often watch these flow metrics for confirmation that spot selling is spreading beyond spot exchanges and into regulated products.

ETF assets shrink sharply from the sector’s 2025 peak

Alongside daily flow data, the broader balance-sheet picture for the ETF complex has weakened. According to SoSoValue, total net assets for US-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs fell below $73 billion for the first time since late 2024.

SoSoValue cited a peak of $169.5 billion in October 2025. By Friday, that figure stood at roughly $72.6 billion—an approximate 57% decline. Even without assuming any change in investor behavior beyond price, the reduction reflects both falling BTC value and net withdrawals from the funds.

Complementing that, WalletPilot data shows US spot Bitcoin ETFs held a combined 1.24 million BTC as of Tuesday. Over the prior 30 days, about 63,500 BTC left the products. For readers trying to separate price effects from flow effects, this distinction is critical: holdings dropping over a month signals that the outflows are affecting the underlying exposure, not just the market valuation.

Strategy’s June slowdown raises questions over capital discipline

As ETF demand cooled, another large institutional-style buyer also moderated its pace. Strategy—frequently cited as the world’s largest corporate Bitcoin holder—purchased about 3,600 Bitcoin so far in June, according to Strategy filings. That rate is far below its recent activity: roughly 25,000 BTC in May and more than 50,000 BTC in April.

The slowing has fueled discussion around whether the company should continue accumulating aggressively during market drawdowns, or instead rebuild liquidity. The debate intensified after Strategy recorded a net sale of 32 BTC earlier in the month, an uncommon move during its broader accumulation period.

Some analysts argue that Strategy should pause purchases and preserve cash until conditions improve. Earlier coverage by Cointelegraph noted scrutiny around Strategy’s broader financial posture, including aspects of how it manages dividend coverage. In the current environment, such questions have become harder to ignore as both ETF flows and price momentum have weakened.

STRC share pressure, and the “self-repairing” debate

Part of the scrutiny has centered on Strategy’s perpetual preferred stock, STRC, which has traded below its intended $100 benchmark. On Thursday, STRC closed at $75.69, down 6.37%. The price action has contributed to renewed debate about whether Strategy’s financing mechanics are robust during volatility.

CryptoQuant analysts raised concerns about Strategy’s timing and risk management. Others, including Bitcoin advocate Samson Mow, pushed back by pointing to a feature described as a “self-repairing mechanism.” In an X post, Mow said that when STRC trades below its $100 benchmark, Strategy pauses new share issuance through its ATM program at that level, limiting new supply.

At the same time, the fundamental question for investors remains whether pauses in issuance and changes in acquisition pace translate into long-term restraint or just short-term adjustment. Strategy’s pace of buying can influence market psychology, particularly because the company is often viewed as a persistent demand backstop—something that may become less reliable if the market downturn causes repeated slowdowns.

Looking ahead, readers should watch whether ETF outflows continue to dominate daily flow prints and whether holdings shrink further month-over-month. In parallel, Strategy’s next purchase cadence and any further signals from STRC’s trading dynamics could clarify whether June represents a temporary slowdown—or the start of a more durable shift in institutional behavior.

A third-party vendor compromise discovered Thursday allowed attackers to inject a malicious script into Polymarket’s frontend, affecting multiple users.

Blockchain analyst Specter said the malicious script appeared to facilitate a phishing attack that drained an estimated $2.94 million from at least 11 Polymarket user wallets.

Polymarket said on X that the compromise has been contained and that the affected dependency has been removed. It added that users would be fully refunded.

Cointelegraph has approached Polymarket for comment but did not receive a response before publication.

The attack was the 89th reported crypto security breach of the second quarter, according to DefiLlama data, extending the most-hacked quarter on record by incident count.

Source: Specter

Crypto exploit losses reach $74.9M across 29 June incidents

Crypto exploit losses climbed to $74.9 million across 29 reported incidents in June, surpassing May’s $60.5 million total but remaining far below April’s $644 million, according to DefiLlama data.

Total value hacked by monthly sum, 1-year chart. Source: DefiLlama.

The largest June incidents included the $36 million Humanity Protocol exploit, the $4.7 million Secret Network bridge exploit, two separate Aztec exploits worth $2.1 million each and a $1.7 million bridge exploit on Taiko.

Related: About 60% of World Cup bettors on Polymarket are first-time crypto users

Over the past 30 days, private key compromises accounted for 43% of reported exploit losses, making them the leading attack vector, according to DefiLlama. Fake proof exploits accounted for 10%, followed by reverse MEV honeypots at 8%, which present deceptive trading opportunities to lure and manipulate automated trading bots.

About a month before Polymarket’s latest attack, the prediction market disclosed a separate $600,000 exploit that was traced to a six-year-old private key used for internal top-up operations. Josh Stevens, Polymarket’s vice president of engineering, said the platform’s contracts and user funds remained safe and that all permissions tied to the key had since been revoked.

Total value hacked by technique over the past 30 days. Source: DefiLlama

Polymarket currently holds over $450 million in total value locked, up 301% from $112 million a year ago, according to DefiLlama.

Magazine: Should users be allowed to bet on war and death in prediction markets?