Chinese
traders have been experiencing widespread disruptions in accessing MetaQuotes’ MetaTrader
4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms for more than a week, with new users
unable to locate broker servers through the popular trading applications,
according to industry sources familiar with the matter.
The issue
has escalated again for the second time in recent months, and local authorities
allegedly view popular retail trading apps as potential scams.
Chinese Forex Traders Face
Extended Platform Access Disruptions
The
connectivity problems, which began in the second half of May, primarily
affected new users attempting to register with FX brokers through the MT4 and
MT5 mobile applications. Existing users who had previously logged into broker
servers continued trading without interruption. The problem persisted for over a week and seems to have been solved only this morning as MetaQuotes pushed through the message of build 1445.
We
highlighted the issue earlier, citing posts on X by Hong Kong-based
broker GFM, which explained to its clients how to work around the current
problems. Potential solutions are also widely shared on Douyin, the Chinese
version of TikTok.
尊敬的客戶：
經MT5廠商通知目前在中國境內，新註冊客戶無法搜尋到外匯交易商名稱進行登入。
臨時解決方案
•請使用電腦版MT5進行登入，下載網址：https://t.co/e1RHmxZZfB
•登入伺服器請填入以下IP：8.212.121.188:443 或 35.79.14.161:433 pic.twitter.com/pA1mpBTKcc— GFMHK (@GFM_HK) May 22, 2025
FinanceMagnates.com
reached out to MetaQuotes for comment on the matter, but had not received a
response by the time of publication.
Technical Workarounds and Potential
“Fraud”
The
disruptions represent the latest challenge for international trading platforms
operating in China’s tightly controlled financial environment. Sources noted this was not the first occurrence of such problems, with similar issues
reported in November 2024, though previous incidents were resolved more
quickly.
During the
outage period, traders found workarounds, including using web-based trading
platforms or installing desktop versions of the software.
The
connectivity issues coincide with broader regulatory pressures on foreign
trading platforms in China. Many Chinese nationals have been required to
install the government’s “National
Anti-Fraud Center” application, which industry sources believe may
flag MT4 and MT5 software as potentially fraudulent.
Emergency Platform Updates
MetaQuotes reportedly
responded to the crisis by releasing emergency updates for both platforms. In a
message to brokers seen by FinanceMagnates.com, the company announced the
release of MT4 Android build 1445 and MT5 Android build 4981, specifically
addressing issues affecting Chinese users.
The
technical solution reflects the unique challenges of operating in China’s
restricted internet environment, where users cannot access the Google Play Store
and must rely on alternative Android app markets or direct installation files
(.apk).
“Alarming” situation
The
week-long disruption highlighted the vulnerability of international brokers
serving Chinese retail traders and appears “alarming,” according to some brokers that rely heavily on
MetaTrader 4 and 5 for retail trading services.
The
situation is complicated by
China’s broader restrictions on foreign financial services. Many broker
client portals remain inaccessible from mainland China, forcing firms to frequently change their domain names to avoid government blocks.
While
virtual private networks (VPNs) can restore access to both trading platforms
and broker websites, the requirement for such technical workarounds creates
additional barriers for new customers entering the market.
Moreover,
users in Hong Kong continued to access MetaTrader platforms without
interruption throughout the disruption. Meanwhile, mainland Chinese authorities
have repeatedly warned residents against participating in unauthorized foreign
exchange trading, citing high loss rates and regulatory loopholes on overseas
platforms.
Chinese
traders have been experiencing widespread disruptions in accessing MetaQuotes’ MetaTrader
4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms for more than a week, with new users
unable to locate broker servers through the popular trading applications,
according to industry sources familiar with the matter.
The issue
has escalated again for the second time in recent months, and local authorities
allegedly view popular retail trading apps as potential scams.
Chinese Forex Traders Face
Extended Platform Access Disruptions
The
connectivity problems, which began in the second half of May, primarily
affected new users attempting to register with FX brokers through the MT4 and
MT5 mobile applications. Existing users who had previously logged into broker
servers continued trading without interruption. The problem persisted for over a week and seems to have been solved only this morning as MetaQuotes pushed through the message of build 1445.
We
highlighted the issue earlier, citing posts on X by Hong Kong-based
broker GFM, which explained to its clients how to work around the current
problems. Potential solutions are also widely shared on Douyin, the Chinese
version of TikTok.
尊敬的客戶：
經MT5廠商通知目前在中國境內，新註冊客戶無法搜尋到外匯交易商名稱進行登入。
臨時解決方案
•請使用電腦版MT5進行登入，下載網址：https://t.co/e1RHmxZZfB
•登入伺服器請填入以下IP：8.212.121.188:443 或 35.79.14.161:433 pic.twitter.com/pA1mpBTKcc— GFMHK (@GFM_HK) May 22, 2025
FinanceMagnates.com
reached out to MetaQuotes for comment on the matter, but had not received a
response by the time of publication.
Technical Workarounds and Potential
“Fraud”
The
disruptions represent the latest challenge for international trading platforms
operating in China’s tightly controlled financial environment. Sources noted this was not the first occurrence of such problems, with similar issues
reported in November 2024, though previous incidents were resolved more
quickly.
During the
outage period, traders found workarounds, including using web-based trading
platforms or installing desktop versions of the software.
The
connectivity issues coincide with broader regulatory pressures on foreign
trading platforms in China. Many Chinese nationals have been required to
install the government’s “National
Anti-Fraud Center” application, which industry sources believe may
flag MT4 and MT5 software as potentially fraudulent.
Emergency Platform Updates
MetaQuotes reportedly
responded to the crisis by releasing emergency updates for both platforms. In a
message to brokers seen by FinanceMagnates.com, the company announced the
release of MT4 Android build 1445 and MT5 Android build 4981, specifically
addressing issues affecting Chinese users.
The
technical solution reflects the unique challenges of operating in China’s
restricted internet environment, where users cannot access the Google Play Store
and must rely on alternative Android app markets or direct installation files
(.apk).
“Alarming” situation
The
week-long disruption highlighted the vulnerability of international brokers
serving Chinese retail traders and appears “alarming,” according to some brokers that rely heavily on
MetaTrader 4 and 5 for retail trading services.
The
situation is complicated by
China’s broader restrictions on foreign financial services. Many broker
client portals remain inaccessible from mainland China, forcing firms to frequently change their domain names to avoid government blocks.
While
virtual private networks (VPNs) can restore access to both trading platforms
and broker websites, the requirement for such technical workarounds creates
additional barriers for new customers entering the market.
Moreover,
users in Hong Kong continued to access MetaTrader platforms without
interruption throughout the disruption. Meanwhile, mainland Chinese authorities
have repeatedly warned residents against participating in unauthorized foreign
exchange trading, citing high loss rates and regulatory loopholes on overseas
platforms.
This post is originally published on FINANCEMAGNATES.
