We are looking at a brokerage firm from the UAE that hides behind an SCA license. The platform appears reliable at first glance, yet there is an oddly low number of reviews online. Despite having been in operation for a long time, ADSS raises more suspicions of being a potential scam than confidence in opening an account and funding it. Let’s take a closer look at why that is.
The company’s official website does not follow the typical template used by most forex brokers. Visually, it is designed in a dark color scheme — predominantly dark blue and black, with neon green accents. This style is common among modern brokers aiming to create a “high-tech” look. The landing page features a promotional slogan, “The Ultimate Trading Destination”, alongside an EUR/USD chart. The presentation is clearly intended to impress at first glance.
Structurally, the ADSS site is divided into standard sections: platforms, markets, education, analytics, about the company, and partnerships. Navigation is straightforward, and the site is mobile-friendly. It loads quickly and is technically stable.
The company also mentions a legal entity registered in the UAE. There is a physical address and an SCA license listed, but all of this warrants further verification. What the site does not mention, however, is that the broker previously held an FCA license in the UK, which was voluntarily withdrawn in 2023. This information is available through public sources but is noticeably omitted from the website.
Contact information is segmented by client type: retail, institutional, and general inquiries. ADSS provides email addresses, phone numbers, and a feedback form.
Instead of a built-in live chat, the company has chosen to use WhatsApp for messaging. However, not all traders use this app, and a native live chat on the website would be more convenient.
The broker also maintains social media accounts. Each of these accounts has over 10,000 followers. However, engagement on posts and videos is very low. For instance, on YouTube, the company has 9,600 subscribers, but their videos rarely exceed 100 views. This suggests that ADSS likely uses fake followers to inflate its online presence.
ADSS offers clients a choice of three account types: Classic, Elite, and Pro. Let’s start with the most accessible option — Classic. The minimum deposit is $100, which is a standard entry point for most beginners. This account features market spreads and leverage of up to 1:500. Commissions are not specified, but based on the phrase “market spreads”, it’s clear the broker earns from the difference between buy and sell prices. Support is available 24/5. Training is also promised, though the details are vague — the site simply mentions “training courses”. Essentially, this is a basic starter account with no significant perks.
Next is the Elite account. ADSS requires a minimum deposit of $25,000. In exchange, traders receive 25% lower spreads, the same 1:500 leverage, a personal account manager, access to “elite events”, and a multi-currency account. What exactly these “elite events” are remains unclear — presumably webinars or private sessions with analysts.
The third option is the Pro account, also requiring a minimum deposit of $25,000. It advertises spreads starting from 0 pips and “low commissions”, though how low is never defined. There is no fee table or instrument-specific breakdown. This account includes access to an RM (Relationship Manager) and a Sales Trader, presumably to assist with large trades and provide ongoing support.
The lack of transparency around commissions is concerning. Does ADSS earn solely on spreads, or is there something hidden? Given the absence of any disclosure about the business model, it’s fair to assume the company might operate a dealing desk. This would be problematic, as it means the platform profits from client losses — a clear conflict of interest.
We do not see any strong signs that the company is an outright scam. The most significant red flag is a potential conflict of interest. Full legal verification is necessary before making any conclusions.
ADSS is a subsidiary of ADS Holding LLC, a well-regarded organization based in Abu Dhabi and founded in 2011. Notably, ADS Holding LLC is one of the few investment firms licensed by the Central Bank of Abu Dhabi. The company holds a single license from the SCA. There is no other regulation in place, which is not exactly reassuring.
In short, the firm operates legally but lacks licenses from major regulators such as the FCA, ASIC, or CySEC. Still, it’s important to remember that the core business model likely relies on client losses. The broker earns when traders lose money.
There are relatively few reviews about ADSS online. Even though the company has existed for over a decade, it remains a little-known platform. The positive reviews seem fake — they lack specifics and fail to prove that traders are genuinely satisfied. Negative reviews, on the other hand, highlight serious trading issues: delayed order execution, massive slippage, and unreasonable spreads.
ADSS is a regulated broker based in the UAE with many years of operational history, but its transparency is limited. The company does not disclose its business model, does not specify commissions, and does not explain how trade execution is handled. The absence of licenses from international regulators is a significant drawback. It’s important not to overlook the inherent risks of CFD trading.
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It’s concerning that this broker has supposedly been operating since 2011, yet the volume of reviews makes it seem like it launched just yesterday. On top of that, there’s no information anywhere about how trades are executed. There are no reports, no transparency, and no clear regulatory oversight aside from a local license in the UAE. Personally, I wouldn’t trust my money with a company that refuses to disclose its operating model. For me, that’s a major red flag…
I registered out of curiosity, deposited $200, and tried the basic account. The demo worked fine, but live trading was different: spreads were wider, and there were delays. The most frustrating part is the lack of clear commission information – you have to dig for it yourself. Support responds via WhatsApp, but often not to the point. I asked a simple question: “Which instruments have near-zero spreads?” I never got an answer. Overall, I’ve noticed that many users report issues with customer support.
I traded with ADSS for nearly a month. Everything was fine at first, until order execution started to lag. During news releases, the terminal would freeze entirely — I experienced slippage of 30–40 pips on gold a couple of times. Customer support responded with standard replies like “please check your internet”. I’ve been trading for years, and I know how things should work. I eventually withdrew my funds, but I lost $300 for no good reason. I won’t be coming back — too shady and unpredictable
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