Hi all BP community.
all BP community.
I wanted to address rebates for traders and begin a discussion here.
Forex Rebates & Cashback: Free Money or Just a Fancy Trick?
Everyone loves the idea of getting paid to trade — but are forex rebates and cashback programs a real edge or just clever marketing? Let’s unpack the hype, the math, and the psychology behind those “get paid to trade” offers.
The first time I heard about forex rebates, I thought it was a scam.
“Wait, you’re telling me brokers pay you to trade?” Yeah, right. But turns out, rebates are real — just not as magical as they sound. Here’s the trader’s-eye view of how they work, why they matter, and when they can quietly mess with your head.
o, let’s talk about them — no affiliate pitches, no sales talk, just trader-to-trader truth.
What Are Rebates, Anyway?
Basically, rebates (also called cashback) are a tiny refund you get from your broker or an introducing broker (IB) for every trade you make.
It’s kinda like your credit card’s cashback rewards — trade, pay the spread or commission, and then get a small slice of that back.
For example:
If your spread is 1 pip and your rebate gives you 0.2 pips back, you’ve just saved 20% on trading costs.
Sounds small, but stack that over hundreds or thousands of trades? That’s real money.
How the Setup Works
There are two main ways traders get rebates:
- Through an Introducing Broker (IB) – The IB gets a portion of your trading fees and shares some back with you.
- Direct from the Broker – Some brokers have built-in cashback programs that automatically credit your account.
Either way, it’s not free money. The rebate just comes from the broker’s own commission share.
Why Traders Love Them
- Cheaper trades: Less cost per trade means more room for profit.
- Volume rewards: If you’re trading high volume or running EAs, those rebates can really stack up.
- Psychological boost: Getting a little something back just feels good. It’s like finding $10 in your jacket pocket.
But Here’s the Catch
Rebates can also play tricks on your brain.
- You might start trading more just to “earn” more rebates (yep, that’s a thing).
- You might choose brokers for the rebate size instead of their reliability.
- And sometimes rebates can mask bad performance, making you think your strategy’s working better than it really is.
Bottom line: if you’re trading for the rebate, you’re probably trading for the wrong reason.
Who Actually Wins With Rebates?
- Scalpers & high-frequency traders: Big winners — every fraction of a pip matters.
- Swing & long-term traders: Meh — you’ll barely notice it.
- Beginners: Focus on spreads, execution, and consistency first. The rebates can wait.
Final Thoughts
Rebates and cashback aren’t good or bad — they’re just a tool.
Used wisely, they can trim your costs and boost long-term performance.
Used carelessly, they can push you into overtrading or poor broker choices.
A solid trading system can benefit from rebates.
A bad system? Well… it’s still a bad system — just one with a small refund attached. 
What’s your take on rebates and cashback?
Do they actually help you trade smarter, or are they just clever marketing?
Drop your thoughts below — I’m curious how other traders see it.
