Forex Bonuses Are Bullsh*t – Here’s Why Serious IBs Should Avoid Them

The Pitch Is Sweet. The Trap Is Set.

You’ve seen the ads. “Get $30 free to trade!” or “Claim a $500 bonus now!” But let’s get one thing straight—if you’re an introducing broker (IB), affiliate, or even a trader thinking about scaling smarter, bonuses are not your edge. They’re the broker’s leash.

Whether it’s a credit margin bonus or a tradable bonus, the endgame is the same: you don’t own that money, and the broker holds the rules. If you're hard up for cash or just looking to gamble, bonuses will only delay your learning curve or blow your account faster.

Breakdown: The Two Types of Bonuses That Waste Your Time

1. Credit Margin Bonuses

These are phantom funds. They boost your available margin so you can trade larger—but if your account dips, the bonus disappears, often taking your open trades with it. It’s fake fuel. The second you’re under water, that “bonus” is gone, and margin calls hit harder.

Use case? None—unless your strategy is praying on borrowed time.

2. Tradable Bonuses

Sounds good: bonus cash you can “trade” with. But to actually withdraw profits? Good luck. You’ll face volume conditions like “1 standard lot per $10 bonus,” which for most traders is months of trading—assuming you don’t blow up first.

Worse, brokers can and do revoke profits retroactively. Abusive trading? Arbitrage? Too profitable too fast? They’ll kill your bonus, void your profits, and point to vague terms. There are entire threads online of traders wiped out by these games.

Real-World Examples: When Bonuses Bite Back

This isn’t theory—it’s happening every day. Here are just a few cases that show how brokers use bonuses to trap capital and frustrate withdrawals.

“JustMarkets ate my profit and accused me of fraud.”Source: Forex Peace Army Case #80061

“Windsor won’t let you pull profits unless you hit a volume and P/L threshold. That’s not a bonus—that’s a bet.”Source: Windsor Brokers Bonus FAQ

Dukascopy’s Equity Bonus: $300M Volume Required on $10K Account

Source: Dukascopy

They offer a 10% equity bonus—sounds solid. Until you see the fine print: to withdraw that bonus, you need to trade 30,000 times your equity in one year. That’s $300 million in volume on a $10K account. Good luck.

UNFXB’s $100 Free Bonus: 50 Lots in 30 Days or Nothing

Source: UNFXB

Get $100 no-deposit. But to cash out profits, you’ve got to trade 50 standard lots within 30 days—and each trade must stay open at least 5 minutes. Withdraw early? Bonus cancelled. Wasted time.

OnFin’s “Bonus-to-Trade Ratio” Scheme: 200 Lots for $600

Source: OnFin

To unlock a $600 bonus, you need to trade 200 lots. And if you withdraw your own money before meeting the quota? Say goodbye to the entire bonus. This isn’t a promo—it’s a volume trap.

The Smarter Play: Go Bonus-Free With High Leverage (If You Trust Your Broker)

If you're looking for trading flexibility or capital boost, higher leverage is a better tool—as long as you're with a trusted, regulated broker.

Why?

• No withdrawal traps

• No fake equity

• No profit revocation games

The math is simple: you’re better off scaling smaller with trusted conditions than playing big with strings attached.

Lesson for IBs and Affiliates

If your partner program is pushing hard on bonuses to attract sign-ups, question the model.

High churn, bad retention, and broken trust = lower long-term commissions.

Your brand is on the line. Align with brokers who lead with execution and trust—not gimmicks.

Final Word

Bonuses look like opportunity—but they’re built to fail. If you’re serious about building income from the trading industry, stop chasing bonuses and start partnering smarter.

Leave the bait to the desperate.

Disclaimer: This post reflects personal experience and is shared for educational purposes only. It is not financial advice or a recommendation. Always do your own due diligence before working with any broker or platform.

Your success depends on your work, ethics, and risk management.

Kyri Kyriacou | Business Growth Strategist | Forex Affiliate Mentor