FXCM: Founded in 1999 in New York, FXCM is a leading global provider of foreign exchange trading and related services. It provides services through its own online trading platforms and through third-party platforms such as MetaTrader 4. FXCM allows retail and institutional clients to speculate on global foreign exchange markets in what is known as “margin forex trading”. Outside the US, FXCM also provides trading in contract for difference (CFDs) on major indices and commodities such as gold and crude oil. FXCM was one of the early developers of online FX trading. Its business model allows retail clients to speculate on forex markets with leverage. FXCM promotes a “no dealing desk” business model for its currency products, taking prices from a number of major banks and allowing clients to trade the best price at any given time.