How to Start Gold Trading in 5 Steps
New to gold trading? Follow this 5-step plan: open a broker account, learn XAUUSD, practice on demo, place your first trade, and manage risk.
After 10 years of screen time, this is the method that survived. I use it every US session.
Choose a Regulated Broker
I switch brokers based on spreads. Sounds harsh but trading is a business. If another broker offers me 0.1 pips less on XAUUSD and is equally regulated, I move. Loyalty costs money in this industry.
Open and Fund Your Account
After trading with five different brokers over ten years, I have settled on two. Here is my criteria: regulation (not optional), gold spread under 0.3 pips, and withdrawal in under 24 hours. That is it.
Learn the Platform
Do not pick a broker based on a bonus or a flashy website. I made that mistake. The broker you choose determines your spread costs, your execution speed, and ultimately whether you can be profitable on small timeframes.
Place Your First Real Trade
Your first ten trades are tuition. Do not expect to profit. Expect to learn. I lost money on six of my first ten trades but learned more than any book taught me.
Keep a Trading Journal
I use screenshots in my journal. A chart screenshot from entry and a screenshot from exit. Visuals tell a story that numbers alone cannot. Try it for a month.
I have been trading XAUUSD for over a decade. Everything in this guide comes from real trades at my desk in Singapore — not from textbooks. Here is what I have learned.
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How to Start Gold Trading in 5 Steps
Getting started with gold trading is simpler than most people think.
Step 1: Choose a Broker
Your broker is the gateway to the market. Focus on these criteria:
- Regulation: Only trade with regulated brokers
- Gold spread: Look for 0.1-0.3 pips on XAUUSD
- Execution: Under 200ms execution speed
- Platform: MT4 or MT5 support
- Deposit: Low minimum deposit ($50-$200)
Step 2: Open Your Account
The process is straightforward:
- Register on the broker's website
- Upload ID for verification
- Fund your account
- Download the trading platform
Step 3: Practice on Demo
Spend at least 2 weeks practicing:
- Learn to navigate MT4/MT5
- Practice setting stop losses and take profits
- Try basic strategies without risking real money
Step 4: First Real Trade
- Start with 0.01 lots
- Trade XAUUSD
On this page
Recommended Brokers
Recommended: Trade gold with EBC — tested across all sessions.
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Related Risk Management Concepts
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