How I Test
"My research begins with collecting and auditing data across more than 100 variables, analyzing the tools and features that matter most to forex and CFD traders. I track commissions, spreads, and fees across the industry to help traders find the best broker for their needs.
I also review each broker's regulatory status, which helps determine whether a broker can be trusted to keep your money safe. As part of this effort, my team and I track more than 100 international regulatory agencies to power our proprietary Trust Score rating system.
I open personal brokerage accounts and test every available platform on desktop, web, and mobile for each broker reviewed. Nothing earns a rating until I've put it through its paces myself, because I believe traders deserve findings grounded in real, hands-on experience."
Years of Experience
25+ years
Areas of Expertise
Forex, cryptocurrency, and the online brokerage industry
Article Count
1000+
Licenses / Credentials (if applicable)
Series III license — Commodity Trading Advisor (CTA)
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Steven Hatzakis is a well-known finance writer, with 25+ years of experience in the foreign exchange and financial markets. He is the Global Director of Online Broker Research for Reink Media Group, leading research efforts for ForexBrokers.com since 2016.
Steven is an expert writer and researcher who has published over 1,000 articles covering the foreign exchange markets and cryptocurrency industries.
He has served as a registered commodity futures representative for domestic and internationally-regulated brokerages. He holds a Series III license in the US as a Commodity Trading Advisor (CTA).
Passionate about helping consumers, Steven has moderated numerous forex and finance industry panels across the globe, such as the Finance Magnates London Summit and The Cyprus Forex Summit.
Steven is frequently referenced in highly regarded forex publications such as FXStreet, Bitcoin.com, The National Herald, and TheStreet. Steven has also been referenced as a cryptocurrency expert in the Alabama Law Review.
Prior to joining Reink Media Group, Steven was an Editor at Finance Magnates.
In addition to forex, Steven is an avid cryptocurrency researcher, advisor, investor, and trader, having conducted over 3,000 crypto trades in 2020 alone. Steven first wrote about Bitcoin market inefficiencies in 2013 and continues to contribute to open-source technology, consumer education, and self-regulatory initiatives.
During his free time, Steven enjoys reading and engineering applications related to math and cryptography, traveling, spearfishing, exercising and staying active.
Please note:
Below, you can find Steven's only official, public-facing social media accounts:
If you have been contacted by any other social media accounts claiming to be Steven Hatzakis, you are likely dealing with a scam. All views and opinions expressed within social media accounts are those of Steven Hatzakis.
Media Samples:
Latest Articles
Zero spread accounts are trading accounts offered by forex brokers that have no difference between the bid and ask price or have spreads that average close to zero.
- Steven Hatzakis
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June 16, 2026
The best forex demo accounts of 2026, tested hands-on. I ranked the top brokers by platform variety, paper trading depth, and the path from demo to live.
- Steven Hatzakis
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June 12, 2026
Forex day trading is a short-term trading strategy where you buy and sell currencies within a single day. Learn how to start day trading forex with this guide.
- Steven Hatzakis
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June 12, 2026
Compare the best CFD brokers and platforms for 2026. Discover top-rated, regulated brokers based on hands-on testing of over 60 CFD trading platforms.
- Steven Hatzakis
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June 12, 2026
There's so much free forex education out there that it's hard to know where to start. Check out my picks for the best free forex trading courses in 2026.
- Steven Hatzakis
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June 12, 2026
Check out our picks for the forex brokers offering the best charts, the best charting providers in the industry, and how to navigate charts for forex trading.
- Steven Hatzakis
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June 12, 2026
This guide is for die-hard fans of Mac devices who want a forex trading platform that will run smoothly on Mac devices without any limitations.
- Steven Hatzakis
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June 12, 2026
Check out our picks for the best brokers offering the popular cTrader trading platform and learn more about this platform's best features.
- Steven Hatzakis
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June 12, 2026
Check out my guide to forex trading APIs to learn more about how to use APIs when trading and to see my picks for the best forex brokers for APIs.
- Steven Hatzakis
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June 12, 2026
Check out my picks for the best brokers with algo trading software in 2026.
- Steven Hatzakis
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June 12, 2026
IG
FOREX.com
CMC Markets
XTB
eToro
Capital.com
AvaTrade
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill
