Official Sources vs Marketing Claims When Researching Trading Platforms

Use a source hierarchy

Start with the source closest to the fact you are checking. For a provider's current fee, use its current fee schedule or terms. For a regulatory status, use the relevant regulator's register. For market mechanics, use the market operator or regulator. Independent articles can help explain context, but they should not overwrite a primary source.

Why a headline needs its conditions

A phrase such as ‘$0 brokerage’ or ‘zero trading fees’ can be accurate within defined conditions and still be incomplete for another market, product or execution path. ASIC's advertising guidance focuses on avoiding false or misleading representations. For research, the practical response is to capture the condition with the claim.

What to look for in official documents

ASIC explains that retail financial products can involve disclosure documents intended to provide information needed to make an informed decision. Depending on the product, useful evidence may also sit in an FSG, PDS, fee schedule, terms, help centre or regulatory register.

• Exact legal entity
• Product and market scope
• Fee calculation basis and minimums
• Effective or updated date
• Eligibility and exclusions
• Custody or ownership description
• Source URL and verification date

A five-minute verification workflow

When you encounter a platform claim, copy the exact wording, identify what would make it true, find the primary source and check whether the scope matches your use case. If you cannot verify it, label it unresolved instead of repeating it as fact.