We recently underwent a full independent audit by CleaRank, a trusted source for no-nonsense broker and prop firm evaluations. Their final verdict? A 4.6/5 overall rating, a CLEAR™ Certified Broker badge, and an in-depth breakdown of what makes Darwinex stand out in today’s market.
But beyond the score, the review confirms what we’ve always built toward: a professional-grade environment for traders who think in years, not weeks.
Not Just Another Broker – By Design
As CleaRank put it: “Darwinex is like nothing we’ve seen before.”
That’s because we’re not trying to be a typical broker.
We’re a dual-licensed broker and asset manager, built from the ground up to transform your strategy into an investable product: the DARWIN.
That DARWIN is what investors allocate to, through merit-based programs like DarwinIA, and what earns you performance fees for trading your edge. This model aligns incentives between trader, platform, and investor and that alignment was something CleaRank consistently praised.
Key Strengths Highlighted by CleaRank
CleaRank put our full ecosystem through their CLEAR™ methodology, from spreads and safety to regulation and investor value. Here’s what they highlighted:
✅ Top-tier regulation — FCA (UK), CNMV (Spain), and FSA (Seychelles) coverage with segregated accounts and up to £5M deposit protection
✅ DARWIN asset class — A unique framework that standardizes your strategy’s risk and performance for investors
✅ Real-time investor capital — Unlike prop firms, you earn 15% performance fees on actual AUM from DarwinIA and private investors
✅ Raw ECN execution — Spreads from 0.0 pips, execution latency under 5ms, and commission costs among the lowest in the industry
✅ Algo-friendly infrastructure — FIX API, Zorro, and IBKR access via integrations
✅ Track record portability — Verified history, investor comments, and independent stats follow you as you grow
✅ Multi-asset access — Trade FX, CFDs, US stocks, ETFs, and even futures (via IBKR)
✅ No hidden costs — No deposit/withdrawal fees (above thresholds), no platform fees, and no inactivity charges (unless dormant for 3 months)
They also highlighted our commitment to transparency from publishing audited financials to building one of the fastest execution pipelines in the business.
What Traders Need to Know
CleaRank was also candid about the trade-offs, and we welcome that clarity:
❗ €500 minimum deposit — Higher than some competitors, but reflects our serious trader positioning
❗ No crypto trading — For now, Darwinex focuses on regulated, liquid, and institution-ready markets
❗ Seychelles entity has no compensation scheme — But traders can opt into FCA/CNMV coverage with lower leverage if suitable
❗ Retail leverage is lower (by design) — Because capital preservation comes first
The bottom line? We’re not for everyone. But we’re built for traders who value structure, security, and real investor growth over shortcuts and gimmicks.
The DARWIN Model: What Sets Us Apart
One section we especially appreciated in CleaRank’s write-up was their recognition of the DARWIN asset model as a true innovation.
It’s not just another copy trading scheme, it’s a regulated, risk-adjusted index of your trading performance, built to be investable.
DARWINs protect investors via:
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6.5% VaR risk normalization
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Real-time risk management
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Divergence tracking
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Capacity limits
This is why Darwinex doesn’t just attract traders, it builds fund managers.
Darwinex vs Darwinex Zero: A Quick Clarification
CleaRank also included a helpful breakdown of how Darwinex (core) differs from Darwinex Zero:
| Feature | Darwinex | Darwinex Zero |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | Real deposit (€500+) | Virtual capital (€38/month) |
| Regulation | Fully regulated | Operates under tech firm structure |
| Risk | Real | Risk-free |
| Investor access | Immediate (if qualified) | Post-DarwinIA GOLD |
| Tools | Full platform suite | MT4/5 only |
| Purpose | Professional asset management | Incubation & track record building |
The two platforms serve different stages of the same mission: helping skilled traders scale responsibly.
CleaRank’s Conclusion
“Darwinex isn’t just another broker — it’s an ecosystem for traders ready to build careers. Its DARWIN model, execution speed, and investor alignment are unmatched.”
Our Takeaway
We’re grateful to CleaRank for their deep, honest assessment and for recognizing what we’ve been building for over a decade.
At Darwinex, we don’t promise overnight riches or gamified challenges. We offer a regulated path to real capital, real investors, and real asset management.
So if you’re a trader who thinks long-term, manages risk like a professional, and wants to be evaluated on skill and not luck, we built this for you.
👉 Read the full CleaRank review here
The Darwinex Team